The Ultimate Closed Sicilian

The Ultimate Closed Sicilian

Gary Lane

B.T. Batsford Ltd, London

First published in 200 I t) Gary Lane 200 I I SBN 0713486872 British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data. A catalogue record for Ihis book is available from the British Library. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, by nny means, without prior pennission of the puhl isher. Printed in tire"t Britain by Creative Print llnd Design (Wales), Ebbw Vale for the puhlishers, IlT. Blltsford Ltd, 9 B1enheim Court, Hrewery Road, London N7 9NT A

Illl'mbc:r of thl� Ch

�1i5 Group plc

For Adelaide Soltysik

With thanks to Ashley Si/son and Franr;ois Mertens for their help in providing material for this book.

A BA TSFORD CHESS BOOK

Contents Page Main Games

4

Introduction

5

Chapter 1

6 iLe3 e6 New Main Line

10

Chapter 2

6 iLe3 ttJt'6

30

Chapter 3

6 iLe3 l:tb8

37

Chapter 4

6 iLe3 e5

43

Chapter 5

5 ... e6 6 iLe3

53

Chapter 6

6 f4 e6 Main Line

58

Chapter 7

6 f4 e5

73

Chapter 8

6 f4 ttJf6 Kasparov System

98

Chapter 9

Systems with t2Jge2

1 08

Chapter 1 0 Systems with ttJh3

129

Chapter 1 1 Systems with ttJf3

1 38

Chapter 12 French Defence set-up

1 44

Chapter 1 3 2 g3

1 60

Index of Variations

1 74

Main Games Adarns-Kasparov Adams-Kramnik Adams-Sax Adarns-Ward A I Mouiahki-Ponomariov Bachin-Shovunov Bcrg-De Finnian Bl iznyuk-Conquest Bmfman-Valois BushiIl-Tozer Claesen-Chuchelov Clemens-Naumann [)oncv-Zeller Dovramadjiev-Semkov Fedorov-Kasparov Gershon-Shabalov Giogadze-Verduga A.Gurevich-Duchov G.Hemandez-De Finnian Hoen-Ciocaltea AI.Karpov-Kallai An. Karpov-Quinteros King-Miralles Kl inger-Schumi Knoppert-Van Wely Kogan-Ashley Kosten-C.Flear Kosten-Hennigan Kova Icvskaya-Arakhamia K rapivin-Morozov [ .lIl1c-Bologan l.al1c-Dautov

30 90 37 10 1 04 56 78 34 I11 27 151 1 66 70 58 1 69 1 54 50 82 94 1 25 43 68 1 08 40 1 13 1 42 17 1 19 23 73 1 46 20

Lane-Manet Lane-Nunn Markowski-Smirin Martin-Britton Murey-Ungure Nadyrhanov-Odccv Orlov-Rago Romanishin-Yudasin Sanduleac-Solcanean Sepp-Danilov Sepp-Malisauskas Short-Kasparov Short-McShane Short-Movsesian Short-Nataf S hort-Rech 1 is Short-Stohl Smyslov-Denker Smyslov-Kottnauer Smyslov-Romanishin Sofronie-Covaci Spassky-Geller Spassky-Hjartarson Spassky-Karpov Spassky-Sax Spraggett-Vilalta Stjazhkina-Polovodin Strijbos-Van der Wiel Sulskis-Efimenko Trapl-Pribyl Van der Weide-Weeks Veselovsky-Haba

75 1 44 88 61 1 49 1 60 46 131 138 1 40 1 62 1 02 32 15 86, 92 66 1 16 53 24 1 29 13 98 64

1 22 81 1 57 62 48 1 33 1 65 1 67 1 63

Introduction The Closed Sicilian is a reliable opening with opportunities for a kingside attack. Unlike Open Sicil­ ian l ines, such as the Dragon where new moves are routinely introduced on move thirty, there is no need to learn a vast amount of theory. Instead, White tends to follow an established plan of development against most set-ups after which the stage is set for a middlegame battle. World champions Karpov, Smyslov and Spassky have favoured it and laid the foundations for others to follow. In recent years the English duo Adams and Short have added new ideas and played it at the highest level with great success.

fianchetto on the kingside and fol­ low with d2-d3 to develop the queen's bishop. White tends to develop his king's knight to e2 or O. The currently fashionable 3 g6 is the most popular reply because a kingside fianchetto will allow Black to exert his influence on the centre and along the a l -h8 diagonal. 4 �g2 �g7 S d3 d6 6 �e3 .•.

The ideas behind the Closed Sicilian I

e4 cS 2 ttJc3 ttJc6 3 g3

This is the move that signals White's intention to play the Closed Sicilian. Basically, the idea is to

This is the new main l ine and is the reason why the Closed Sicilian is being played at international level . I have paid special attention to it because I think the s imple development plan is easy to fol low and the ideas can be applied in a variety of positions. It is an aggressive system that puts Black under pressure at the earliest oppor­ tunity. The plan is to play 'W'd l -d2 and �e3-h6, exchanging the key defensive bishop on g7, and perhaps fol lowing up with h2-h4-h5 to open the h-fiIe and deliver a speedy mate. It sounds too good to be true but

lurmula in Adams­ i{cdbus, Southend 200 1 . I hut j.(lIl1ll· wcnt: (, ...l-(' 7 -.d2 ltJge7 8 i.h6 0-0 9

\\'11',

iI

�'Kl'l'ssl'ul

\\'111'11,

h4

The attack looks rather obvious bllt it is very etTective. Adams is threatening 1 0 h4-h5, followed by taking on g7 and hxg6, which al lows the queen to jump in on h6 with a tremendous attack. 9 ...i.xh6 10 -.xh6 f6

Blllck takes measures to parry the offensive. Basically, the text stops 11 h5? because then comes I L.g5 , IIItcnding 1 2 .. �h8 and 13 ... ttJg8 trapping the queen. However, it l'Ol11prumises Black's pawn struc­ ture, which encourages White to attm:k. .

The opening has been a complete success because the twin threats of ,*xd5 and -'g7 mate give White a winning advantage.

20.. JWe7 21 "xdS exf4+ 22 ,*e4 "xe4+ 23 dxe4 lIae8 24 0-0-0 l:txe4 25 ttJf3 Ae6 26 Ah4 fS 27 Adh l l:tg6 28 J:txf4 lIff6 29 lIfh4 �g8 30 J:th5 J:tg4 3 1 l:tSh2 '1t>fi 32 �d2 Afg6 33 J:tf2 J:tg2 34 �e2 �f6 35 �n Axf2+ 36 �xf2 dS 37 c3 b6 38 l:td I �e6 39 lie 1 + '1t>f6 40 lieS lIxh6 4 1 AxdS lIhl 42 �g3 Abl 43 Ad6+ �e7 44 J:td2 h6 45 f4 '1t>e6 46 Ah2 �dS 47 c4+ �c6 48 �xf5 '1ti>b7 49 �e4 1-0

A deeper analysis of this game can be found in Chapter I .

Black has tried various ways to counter this direct otTensive. 6 ... e5 is one of the best but Orlov-Rago, Giorgio San 2000, Porto demonstrated that knowledge of the standard attacking procedure is sometimes enough to ensure success at the board. I e4 cS 2 ttJc3 ttJc6 3 g3 d6 4 i.g2 g6 5 d3 i.g7 6 i.e3 e5 7 'it'd2 ttJge7 8 i.h6 0-0 9 h4

1 1 -.d2 eS 12 h5 gS 13 h6 ! i.e6 14 f4 gxf4 1 5 gxf4 �h8 16 ttJdS .ixdS 1 7 exdS liJb4 18 a3 ttJbxdS? 19 i.xd5 ttJxdS 20 -'g2

This attacking device will hardly come as a surprise to anyone who has seen the Adams-Ward game. It might not be the most accurate way

IlIlr/lt/lldlllll

to handle the position after 6 e5 has given Black an extra move on the new main line, but in practical play it can be very effective. ...

9 f6 1 0 i.xg7 �xg7 1 1 h5 g5 12 h6+ �h8 13 f4 exf4 14 gxf4 gxf4 1 5 0-0-0 tOg6 16 tOje2 �g4 1 7 ':dn "'a5 1 8 tOxf4 tOd4 19 �h3 i.f3 20 ':hg l tOxf4 2 1 "'xf4 "'xc3 22 ':g8+ 1-0

to recapture on e2 with the king's knight, promoting his development. after which which the capture of the tempting b-pawn leads to ruin. 7 ...d6

...

If Black fiddles with the move­ order then play usually transposes to one of the main lines, thus allowing White to play his set-up against just about everything. However, there arc a few positional tricks to watch out for in the opening. A good example is Smyslov-Denker, USSR-USA, Moscow 1 946, which shows not only how an opening evolves over the years but also how the lessons of the old masters can sometimes be forgotten. I e4 cS 2 tOe3 tOe6 3 g3 g6 4 i.g2 �g7 5 d3 e6 6 i.e3 tOd4? ! 7 tOee2!

!

7 tOxe2, to win a couple of pawns, has caught out numerous players since 8 tOxe2 i.xb2 9 ':b I "'a5+? (if the bishop retreats White takes back on c5 with a slight advantage) JO .i.d2 'il'xa2 runs into I I l:txb2 ! "'xb2 1 2 �c3 and White is winning. ...

8 c3 tOe6 9 d4 exd4 1 0 4Jxd4 tOxd4 1 1 .i.xd4 e5 12 .i.e3 tOe7 1 3 tOe2 0-0 1 4 0-0 �e6 1 5 'ir'd2 'iJe7 16 ':fe I f5 17 c4 fxe4 18 tOc3 tOf5 1 9 tOxe4 tOxe3 20 'ir'xe3 h6 2 1 ':d I ':fd8 22 ':acl ':ac8 23 b3 b6 24 tOc3 "'e7 25 i.d5 c,th7 26 .i. xe6 "'xe6 27 l:td3 l:tc7 28 ':cd l ':17 29 tOe4 .i.f8 30 l:td5 "'g4 31 ': l d3 �e7 32 lLlxd6 �xd6 33 l:txd6 ':df8 34 'il'xe5 ':xf2 35 ':d7+ ':217 36 ':xfi+ ':xfi 37 ':d8 ':g7 38 "'e8 g 5 39 'ir'h8+ �g6 4 0 ':d6+ �fi 4 1 Wxh6 'il'f5 42 ':d l "'c5+ 43 �g2 "'e7 44 .:n+ �g8 45 "'f6 "'e8 46 'il'f5 g4 47 ':1'2 "'e7 48 "'d3 l:tg5 49 ':e2 "'18 50 "'c4 l:tg7 51 "'d5+ "'17 52 ':e6 1 -0

5.

The game is analysed in Chapter

It is also possible to enter standard lines that feature 6 f4.

A move which tends to set Black thinking for a long time. Usually ill such positions Black exchanges knights on e2 or D and grabs the pawn on b2. But here White is in the pleasant position of being able

S

/"/,,,.111"""11

I hlN IS thc starting

point of the

IlIIc which has been the focus III allclltloll fo r years. 11111111

White's Plan • A kingside pawn advance in plcpuration for an attack, which is somctimcs launched by f4-fS to wcaken Black's defence. • A transfer of pieces to the

kingside. using his space advantage for quick manoeuvres. • A n:striction of B lack 's qu.e en­ sIde counterplay. Black's Plan • The creation of counterplay on t hc queenside and/or in the centre. • A queenside pawn advance to distract White from his kingside

ambitions.

A timely pawn thrust in the centre to open the position and acti­ vate his pieces. •

A typical attacking idea is shown by the game Krapivin-Morozov, Pskov 1 998. I e4 cS 2 lOe3 lOe6 3

g3 g6 4 .i.g2 .i.g7 S d3 eS 6 f4 d6 7 li)h3 lOge7 8 0-0 O-O?

to exploit the light-squares around �he black king. 9...gxfS 1 0 exfS .i.xfS

IO . . lOxfS?! is met by 1 1 'fihS, heralding an attack that has a re­ putation for quick wins. For in­ stance: I I ...lOfd4 runs into 1 2 .i.e4 fS 1 3 i.dS+ 'li'h8 1 4 lOgS h6 I S "'g6! hxgS 1 6 "'hS mate. .

1 1 lhfS lOxfS 1 2 i.e4 lOh6 1 3 'fihS dS 1 4 lOxdS fS I S .i.xh6 fxe4 1 6 .i.xg7 'li'xg7 1 7 lOgS "'xdS 1 8 'fixh7+ �f6 1 9 h 4 lOd4 2 0 l:tf1 + lOO+ 2 1 'li'g2 l:th8 22 lOxe4+ �e6 23 'fig6+ �e7 24 l:txo l:thfS 2S "'gS+ �e6 26 e4 1-0

7.

This game is analysed in chapter The Main Lin e

In my previous book Winning with the Closed Sicilian I decided to pay a lot of attention to variations arising from 1 0 eS. In this complete­ ly new book I still look at the vari­ ous options but also try to guide White and Black through the com­ plications without excessive theory. The main line arises atier 1 e4 cS 2

here---but it is a common mistake!

lOe3 lOe6 3 g3 g6 4 i.g2 i.g7 S d3 d6 6 f4 e6 7 lOo lOge7 8 0-0 0-0 9 i.e3 lOd4 and now 10 eS .

All excellcllt move that is the start III lilt Impressive attack. The idea is

The idea is to open the diagonals for White's bishops and make room on e4 for the queen's knight. It has

Castling looks a natural choice 9

fS!

Jntruduction

heen the centre of attention since the 1 980s but, with the passage of time, Ihe initial problems posed to Black have generally been sorted out. A well prepared player should manage lu avoid the numerous tricks and Imps and White should only retain a sl ight edge. This has prompted some players to deviate early to try and lure White away from established opening knowledge. Short-Rechlis, Ohrid 200 1 , saw the slightly lInllsual l 0 . �d7. .

.

V

1 1 ...ttJefS 12 .litf2 .litc6 13 cJ ttJxf3+ 14 �xf3 dxeS 1 5 he5 .litxc4 16 dxe4 ttJe7 1 7 �xc5 liJc6

The opening has been great fl)r Short because his opponent has had to resort to an exchange sacrifice in the hope of creating complications. In the circumstances this is hardly surprising considering that 1 7 ... l:te8 leads to a poor ending after 1 8 'ihd8 l:taxd8 1 9 .litxa7 .litxe5 20 l:[fd l when the extra material gives White a clear advantage, Short eventually won after 7 1 moves-a more complete analysis of the game is given in chapter 6. Co�clusion

A stunning response because it seems that Black is voluntarily con­ ceding a pawn on d4.

l I liJe4

The obvious I I liJxd4 cxd4 1 2 .liL.xd4 dxe5 is an important position, where 1 3 .litxe5? fails to 1 3 .....,,6+ 14 �h 1 f6 winning a piece . Instead 1 3 fxe5 .litc6 1 4 .litfl .litxg2 1 5 ""'xg2 .litxe5 1 6 d4 offered equal chances in Turner-Dunnington, lIarnarfjordur 1 996.

The Closed Sicilian is ideal for those who do not have time to learn a lot of complicated opening theory. Instead, White tends to rely on a knowledge and understanding of the strategies and tactics available in the opening. A solid system, with chances of a kingside attack, is a good opening choice. The new main l ine begins with 6 .lite3, intending "d l -d2 followed by .lite3-h6 to exchange the dark-squared bishops . Once the important defensive bishop on g7 is exchanged then White attacks with h2-h4 or fl-f4 and carries on with the traditional kingside pawn attack. Though it sounds simple it is also surprisingly effective.

6 i..e3 e6 New Main Line

1

Adams-Ward

Redbus Southend 200 1 I c4 cS 2 ltJc3 ltJc6 3 g3 g6 4 iog2 .Jig7 5 d3 d6 6 .ie3

I'he starting point of the new main IlIIe. At the time of the game Adams wa� ratcd fourth in the world, which IS an indication of the respect that tIll" v;Jri;Jtion commands at the III).(hest level. It is also a good

against Ward who is re­ the Dragon and battle where he httle counterplay from the

dlOice

lIowned for playing would not relish a

hus

Opl�IIIII)l..

l'b 7 'ii'd 2 ltJ ge7 ! ? It IS still dcbatable whether this IIHlve is a mistake but granting Wll lt l' 1111 instant attack is a risky (I,

. .

At international level WIIIIl' \ attack is dangerous while at IllIh Il'vel It is deadly. The position I'. I Ilfll al III that Black usually tries tit ,.top till' W lllte onslaught-so it hll�lIll'SS

makes sense to see what happens if such wisdom is ignored. 8 .i h6 White has already achieved his short-term aim of exchanging the dark-squared bishops. 8 h4 is also possible, to gain similar play to the main game, although then Black can take evasive action with 8 . . . hS to stop the advance of White's h-pawn. For instance: 9 ltJh3 l:b8 1 0 0-0 bS 1 1 l:ae l b4 1 2 ltJd l �aS (perhaps 1 2 . . .ltJeS is worth considering) 1 3 f4 (an ambitious sacrifice that is designed to distract the black queen away from the central action) 1 3 . . . �xa2 14 fS .JieS I S fxg6 ltJxg6 1 6 'ii'fl :tb7 1 7 ltJf4 (or 1 7 ltJgS ltJd4 1 8 ltJxfl? l:f8 winning) 1 7 . . .ltJd4 I 8 �h 1 .Jig7 1 9 ltJxg6 fxg6 20 eS l:tf8 2 1 'ii'd 2 l:xfl + 22 l:xfl ltJfS (22 . . . i.xeS 23 .Jixd4 cxd4 24 �h6 l:g7 2S .Jic6+ �d8 and Black avoids any menacing checks) 23 .ic6+ l:d7 24 exd6 and now, instead of 24 . . . .Jib7 2S 'ii'g2 ..ixc6 26 'ii'x c6 'ii'd S+ 27 'ii'x dS exdS, Hjartarson-Shirov, Munich 1 993 , 24 . . . �xg3+ 2S �g l ltJxfl 26 'it>xfl .ib7 27 'ii'g2 .Jixc6 28 'ii'x c6 'ii'dS 29 'ii'c 8+ l:d8 30 'ii'c 7 'ii'f5 + 3 1 �e I 'ii'fl 32 'ii'x cs .ifll and the d-pawn will fall. 8

0-0?!

...

This is really asking for White to come and get him. The alternative 8 . . . .ixh6 is examined in the main game, Short-Movsesian. 9 h4!

6 i.e3 e6 New M/lill 1.1111'

//

White the superior chances in Cabrero de Cabo-Fernandcz Losada. Yila de Padron 2000. c) 9 . .to 1 0 i.xg7 ( 1 0 hS? i.xh6 1 1 'ii'x h6 gS ! , intending . . . �h8 and . . . ltJg8 to win the trapped queen, is a killer) 1 0 . . . �xg7 when play might continue: c l ) I I f4 ltJd4 1 2 hS 1:h8 1 3 hxg6 hxg6 1 4 1:xh8 "xh8 I S 0-0-0 1:b8 (or I S . . ...h2 1 6 "f2 eS 1 7 ltJf3 ltJxf3 1 8 1:h l ! wins) 1 6 ltJf3 i.d7 1 7 1:h l 'ii'g8 1 8 e S ! ltJefS (or 18 . . . dxeS 19 fxeS fS 20 'ii'gS and the queen infiltrates Black 's posi­ tion) 1 9 ltJe4 fxeS 20 fxeS ltJxf3 2 1 i.xf3 dxeS 22 g4 ltJd4 23 "gS 1 -0 Carton-Blot, Montlucon 1 997. c2) 1 1 hS 1:fl 1 2 hxg6 ltJxg6 1 3 ltJf3 (White continues with his development, safe in the knowledge that the semi-open h-file offers excellent attacking chances) 1 3 . . . l:tb8 1 4 ltJh4 ltJce7 I S ltJxg6 ltJxg6 1 6 i.f3 �g8 1 7 :h6 l:tg7 1 8 0-0-0 bS 1 9 i.hS (the idea is to double rooks on the h-file and then take on g6) 1 9 . . b4 20 ltJe2 ltJeS 2 1 "f4 fS 22 exfS exfS 23 d4 cxd4 24 l:txd4 b3 2S 1:hxd6 ltJd7 26 axb3 "c7 27 1:6dS "b6 28 1:xfS i.a6 29 1:fl 1 -0 Cosma-Grosar, Moscow Olympiad 1 994. .

A lovely position to play for White who has the simple plan of h4-hS, i.xg7, hxg6 and "h6+ with iI thunderous attack. Admittedly, Black can avert this but the position IS still awkward to defend. 1J i.xh6 Hlack has a cunning plan so he is happy to allow the queen to transfer tu the kingside. Other lines are fun I\)r White: a) 9 . . . fS?! 1 0 hS and now: a I ) 1 0 . . . "e8 (the idea is take back on g6 with the queen) 1 1 i.xg7 �xg7 1 2 ltJbS ! with a clear advantage, Partac-Nakagori, Artek 1999. a2) 1 0 . . .11£7 (a bid to fend off the attack by observing h7) 1 1 hxg6 hxg6 1 2 . i.xg7 lhg7 1 3 ltJf3 LDd4 14 4JE S ltJec6 I S 0-0-0 ltJeS (after 15 . . lLJb4 1 6 1:h4 ltJbxc2 1 7 �dh I gives White a winning attack) 1 6 1:h4 ltJfl 1 7 1:dh I 1H6 ( 1 7 . . .1hgS runs into 1 8 1:h8+! ltJxh8 1 9 1hgS with an easy win) 1 8 LDxfl �xfl 1 9 1:h8 1:b8 2 0 1: I h 6 b S 2 1 exfS ltJxfS 22 ltJe4 "e7 23 1:6h7 dS 24 ltJgS+ �f6 2S g4 led to victory in POllinger-Tschohl, Austrian Team Ch 1 996. b) 9 . . . ltJd4 1 0 i.xg7 �xg7 I 1 hS 1:h8 1 2 h6+ (a familiar idea that blocks in the rook on h8, giving Black problems) long-term 1 2 . . . �f8 1 3 f4 LDec6 1 4 ltJge2 gave •••

.

.

10 "xh6 1"6 ! ?

Ward reveals his defensive idea. Now 1 1 hS? is bad because then 1 1 . . . gS, followed by . . . �h8 and . . . ltJg8, traps the queen. The main alternative, 10 . . . �h8, is discussed in the next game. 1 0 . . . fS is a less than convincing defence: 1 1 hS gxhS 1 2 "xhS 1:fl 1 3 ltJf3 ltJd4 1 4 ltJgS 1:g7 I S 0-0-0 ltJg6 1 6 LDx h 7 ! 1:b8 ( 1 6 . . . :'xh7 1 7 "xg6+ l:tg7 1 8 "hS wins) 1 7 exfS ltJxfS 1 8 ltJdS bS 1 9 ltJdf6+ �fl 20 i.c6 1:b6 2 I i.e8+ ! (a brilliant finish) 2 1 . . . �e7 22 i.xg6 ltJd4 23 1:he I 1:a6 24

/.'

fJ

1/..f·; f'()

Nl'w Ma;n Line

I ·J.>d7 2S �e8+ 1 -0 lL\xe2 lL\xdS 20 hS llae8 2 1 :h2 VlIIl'I: ndlln-Morice, Italy 1 997 . l:.xe2 22 :xe2 'il'xf4 23 hxg6 hxg6 11 �d2 24 Ah I gave White a winning Although the queen retreats from advantage, Shaw-Berry, Marymass thc scenc of action, the damage has 1 999. hccn done since Black has been b) 1 2 ... �g4 1 3lL\d l ( 1 3 �f3 with li l rced to compromise his position. play similar to the previous note is possible but I quite like the sample line 1 3 �h3 'iWd7 1 4 hS gxhS I S fS ! ? l:.fl 1 6 �xg4 hxg4 1 7 :h4 :g7 1 8 lL\d I, intending lL\f2, with attacking chances) 1 3 . . .�xd l 1 4 l:.xd I exf4 I S gxf4 dS 1 6 lL\e2 dxe4 1 7 dxe4 �6 1 8 Wc3 l:.ad8 1 9 Axd8 lL\xd8 20 l:.h3 lL\e6 2 1 l:.d3 lL\c6 22 l:.d6 lL\ed4 YZ-Y2 Amelang­ Baginskaite, Berlin 1 994. c) 1 2. . . hS!? (this new move, se­ curing the g4 square, seems to be a good idea-which might explain 11. . . eS The e-pawn is advanced to give why Adams stopped it with the text scope to the light-squared bishop. I f move) 1 3 lL\f3 (13 0-0-0 �g4 1 4 I I . lL\d4 . 1 2 1 44 d S 1 3 hS b S 1 4 � f3 is the aggressive option) hxg6 hxg6 I S exdS exdS 1 6 0-0-0 1 3 . . . 'iPg7 1 4 0-0 lDd4 1 5 Aa (this b4 1 7 lL\ce2lL\bS 1 8 d4 c4 1 9 "'xb4 position is similar to lines explored l:.h8 20 l:.e l (or 20 a4 as 2 1 'ifcs in the chapter on 6 f4 eS) I S . . . i..e6 0.c7 and Black has avoided losing a 1 6 llafl with equal chances, pil�ce but White is stilI better) Hamdouchi-Bezold, French Team 20 . . . �e6 2 1 "'d2 'ifd6 22 lL\D l:tb6 Ch 1 999. 1 2 . . . gS 23 l:.h2 l:.a6 24 a3 l:.xa3 2S bxa3 Otherwise White will take on g6 �xa3+ 26 'itd l lL\fS 27 l:teh l "'a l + to open the h-file for the king's 28 "'C I lL\c3+ 29 lL\xc3 "'xc3 and rook. IIOW, instead of 30 "'d2 "'a l + 3 1 13 h6! 'J.>e2 t;)xg3+ 32 �e3 'ifa3+ 33 c3 A nice idea to stop Black support­ ti\xhl 34 l:.xh l with an eventual draw, A. Ledger-Nedev, Breda 1 99 8, ing his kingside pawn structure with White could have finished the job . . . h6, after f4 is played. 13 . . .�e6 14 f4 lJuickly with 30 l:.h8+ �fl 3 1 Once again, Adams finds the most l:.1 h7 I �e8 32 �1 and it is time dangerous reply-Black's kingside li,r Black to resign. pawn barrier is challenged. 12 h5 14 . . . gxf4 I S gxf4 Wh8 16 lL\dS I'll maintain the pressure by open­ IIIIot the h-file. The main alternative �xdS?! 12 1'4 is also worth a look: Ward decides it is time to fight III 12 exl44 1 3 gxf4 .i.g4 back before White castles queenside and develops the rest of his pieces . hllll'l'lIIg h4-h5 a nd 0-0-0) 1 4 .i.f3 •" , I � Jl/.xg4 "'xg4 1 6 lL\ge2 dS The only snag is that his plan is flawed. 11 ,-xd'l t;'d4 IX 0-0-0 t;Jxe2+ 19

';\t!'I

.

.

.

6 J..e3 1 7 cxdS tDb4 18 a3 tDbxdS?

lba6 is an admission that t hings have gone wrong. 'The knIght on the rim is grim' because it IS far away from the defence of the klllgside. IK

. . .

1 9 J.. xdS tDxdS 20 "g2

1'6 Ne\\"

I I

MOIII 1.11/1'

'it>c6 I f 47 . . . �xc4 48ltld2t WillS ut once. 48 �xfS �b7 49 �e4 1-0.

The straightforward attack used by White is examined again in the following game. This time Black tries a different defensive structure but the result remains the same. Sofronie-Covaci

Romanian Ch 1 999 I e4 cS 2 tLlc3 tDc6 3 g3 g6 4 d3 �g7 S i.g2 d6 6 i.e3 e6 7 "d2 tDge7 8 i.h6 0-0 9 h4 i.xh6 1 0 "xh6 �h8

rhe opening has been a complete slIccess for White. The twin threats of "xd5 and "g7 mate give him a wlllning advantage.

20 . . ...e7 21 "xdS exf4+ 22 "e4 "xc4+ 23 dxe4 ':ae8 24 0-0-0 J:he4 2S tLln

25 l:txd6! ? l:le l + 26 ':d l also looks good for White. 25 . . .l:te6 26 l:th4

Ulack has three pawns for the piece but it is not enough because White can stop their advance and pick them off one by one. Of course, Adams' technique is legend­ ury and the rest of the game is a model example of how to convert the advantage into victory.

26 . . . fS 27 l:tdhl l:tg6 28 l:txf4 l:tff6 29 l:tfh4 �g8 30 l:thS l:tg4 3 1 l:tSh2 �fi 3 2 �d2 l:tfg6 33 l:tf2 :lg2 34 �e2 'it>f6 3S �n l:txf2+ 36 �xf2 dS 37 c3 b6 38 :l d l �e6 39 :le l + �f6 40 l:teS l:txh6 41 l:txdS l:thl Or 4 1 . . . �e6 42 ':d8 and White is on course for the win. 42 �g3 l:t b l 43 l:td6+ �e7 44 l:td2 h6 45 �f4 �e6 46 l:lh2 �dS 47 c4+!

The king moves into the corner to oust the queen with . . . ttJg8. 1O . . f6 would also force 1 1 "d2 because otherwise 1 1 h5? runs into 1 1 . . . g5 when the white queen is trapped and cannot avoid 1 2 ...ttJg8. .

1 1 hS

The text threatens mate with hxg6 and "xh7, which is the favoured direct approach. In the game Samaritani-Aagaard, Copenhagen 1 990, White tried I 1 ttJh3 to threaten ttJg5 and mate on h7. There followed 1 1 . . . ttJg8 1 2 "d2 tt.'lt'b 1 3 h5 ttJxh5 (if 1 3 . . .gxh5? then 14 tDf4 allows White to open the h-tilc with advantage) 14 g4 tDf6 1 5 t;)g5 �g7 1 6 tDxh7! l:th8 1 7 "h61 ��X

,.,

(I

.t(. I

"'1 NI'\\'

Maill Line

IK ('\XI(I' .xf6 19 "xh8+ "xh8 .l:bltK I ·J,oxh8 2 1 ttJb5 (2 1 �d2 is pw.�lhk rel y in g on his space ad­ vllnlll!(e for an edge) 2 1 . . . ttJd4 22 ti hd4 � xd4 23 f4 led to equal .'0

13 . . . h6 1 4 ttJrJ ttJd4 1 5 0-0-0

chuncl·s. 1 1 . . . li)g8 1 2 "d2 ('he 4ueen is forced to retreat but While retains pressure on the h-fiIe. 1 2 .. . g5

Now the black king looks vulner­

ahle. provided White can infiltrate

exploit its loose pawn cover. Also possible: a) 1 2 . . .ttJf6 1 3 hxg6 fxg6 1 4 li)ge2 cS IS ttJd5 ttJxd5 1 6 exd5 li)b8'!! (a better idea is 16 . . . ttJe7 when 1 7 "h6 l:.17 1 8 0-0-0 leaves White better but Black has good dHlnces to defend) 1 7 "h6 (an un invited guest returns to h6 to add weight to the attack.) 1 7 . . ."e7 1 8 "xg6 (the pawn drops off the board confirming that the onslaught gener­ ated by the opening has been a clear success) 1 8 . . . i.f5 1 9 "h6 l:tf6 20 .d2 ttJd7 2 1 0-0-0 (White catches lip in development and takes the op­ portunity to bring the queen's rook into the game) 2 1 . . . l:taf8 22 ttJc3 JlLg4 23 l:.dfl i.f3 24 i.xf3 l:.xf3 25 li)e4 l:.g8 26 "e2 (the immediate 26 1:h6 is also good) 26 . . . l:.f5 2 7 l:.h6 li)f�1 28 1:fh I A g7 29 f4 ttJe8 30 1:eb .d7 3 1 Axe8+1 "xe8 32 lihdb "d7 33 ttJxfS "xf5 34 fxe5 1 -0 t 'harles-Suttor, Canberra 200 I. h) 1 2 . . ... e7 1 3 ttJge2 l:.b8 1 4 h xgh fxg6 1 5 ttJf4. threatening li))(!(61• gave White the better dUlllces in Bienvenu-Riff. Montlu­ lIln 11)1)7 I.l r4 Sllfnlllic lakes the opportunity to 1I\lIIck Ihe g-p;lwn although a lesson n l l)lh l he learned from the Adams 1.1111111' hy ins ert ing 1 3 h6 before I'IIIYIII ... 14, thereby ruling out ... h6. 10

.

White has completed his develop­ ment and can now concentrate on increasing the pressure on the black king. By contrast, the black pieces lack harmony and show l ittle sign of counterplay. 15 . . . i.d7 1 6 e5

The e-pawn advances to make room for a knight on e4. White is also better after 1 6 fxg5 ttJxf3 1 7 i.xf3 "xg5 1 8 "xg5 hxg5 1 9 d4. 16 . . . ttJxf3 17 i.xf3 dS 18 AdO i.e6 1 9 ttJdl 14e8 20 ttJrl e4?!

White's pieces are massing on the kingside and Black is impatient to do something!

21 dxc4 dxe4 22 "xd8 l:. fxd8 23 i.xe6 l:. xe6 24 fxgS

Though the exchange of queens changes the mode of attack, the per­ manently weakened Black kingside pawns ensure that White's advan­ tage remains as emphatic as ever. 24 . . . e3

On 24 . . . hxg5 then 25 intending ttJxg5, is a winner.

ttJe4,

25 bxe3 l:. xe3 26 ttJe4 l:.e7 27 l:. h2 l:.d5 28 ttJd6 1-0

A number of attempts have been made to revive the line for Black and Movesesian's handling of the opening is certainly a marked improvement.

6 �e3 e6 New Main Line

Short-Movsesian

Sarajevo 2000

15

b) 1 0 . . ."a5 and now:

I e4 cS 2 �c3 e6 3 g3 �c6 4 i.K2 g6 S d3 i.g7 6 i.e3 d6 7 'Wd2 li)Ke7 8 i.h6 i.xh6! ?

Black decides to combat the IIl1l1Ck by exchanging bishops and l'Ilstling queenside. 9 'Wx h6

�d4 1 0 0-0-0 The question of how to defend the l'2 pawn is solved by this logical move. However, having exchanged hishops, \ 0 'Wd2, keeping his cas­ tling options open, is also a popular dlOice. Play might continue: a) 1 0 . . . lLlec6 1 1 �dl "'a5 1 2 "xa5 (the obvious 1 2 c3? runs into 1 L .�b3 ! and the game is already lost ) 1 2 . . . �xa5 1 3 �e3 (the end­ illS should be level but White does a !(ood job in creating the better dmnces) 1 3 . . . e5 14 c3 �e6 1 5 �e2 li)c6 1 6 0-0 0-0 1 7 f4 f6 1 8 �d5 '""S7 1 9 fxe5 fxe5 20 a3 i.d7 2 1 b4 h6 22 h4 with a slight edge due to his space advantage, Golubovic­ Kaplan, Zagreb 1 994. 9

•..

b l ) I 1 �ge2 �ec6 1 2 �xd4 �xd4 1 3 0-0 i.d7 1 4 f4 f5 1 5 ':f2 (or 1 5 exf5 gxfS 1 6 �xb7? l:b8 1 7 i.g2 l:txb2 and Black is better) 1 5 . . . 0-0 1 6 �dl 'Wa6 1 7 �e3 l:tae8 1 8 'Wd l b5 1 9 c3 �c6 20 g4 fxg4 2 1 �xg4 "'c8 22 'Wd2 �h8 23 e5 d5 24 d4 Y2-Y2 Hartston-Chandler, British Ch 1 980. b2) I I f4 �ec6 12 �O �xO+ 1 3 i.xO liJd4 1 4 i.g2 fS (Black is wary of allowing White the possibil­ ity of f4-f5) 1 5 0-0 �d7 1 6 a3 0-0 1 7 'Wf2 led to equal chances in Jurkovic-Cebalo, Croatian Team Ch 1 995. b3) 1 I lLlO lLlec6 12 0-0 lLlxO+ 13 i.xO lLld4 1 4 i.g2 �d7 1 5 f4 f5 (as usual Black stops the advance f4-f5 ) 1 6 "'f2 0-0-0 1 7 �d l fxe4 1 8 �xe4 �c6 1 9 lLle3 l:thf8 20 c3 �xe4 2 1 dxe4 lLlc6 22 'Wg2 'Wb6 23 'it>h I �b8 24 l:tad I (White will double rooks on the semi-open d­ file to exert pressure against d6) 24 . . . lLle7 25 l:td2 "'c6 26 l:tfd l gave White a slight edge in Kovalevskaya-Korbut, St Peters­ burg 200 1 .

I ()

() .JIL,./

I'fl Ne\\'

Main Line

I O .'WW a S! Activating the queen is Black's best chance to keep the game sharp­ ly balanced. The alternatives tend to be good news for White: a) IO . . . ltJec6 1 1 ltJge2 i.d7 1 2 Wg7 (also good is 1 2 ltJxd4 cxd4 1 3 li)c2 Wa5 14 �b l Wa4 1 5 c3 dxc3 16 ltJxc3 b4 1 7 d4 and White was better in Hort-Hodgson, Wij k aan Zee 1 986) 1 2 . . . l:tf8 1 3 �b l We7 1 4 Wxh7 Wf6 1 5 Wh6 Wxt2 1 6 l:tdfl Wxg2 1 7 l:thgl Wxe2 1 8 ltJxe2 lihe2 1 9 l:tg2 ltJed4 20 c3 ltJb5 2 1 ..4 CiJc7 22 l:tgt2 (the white pieces are well placed to promote the attack) 22 . . . ltJe5 23 d4 ! cxd4 24 cxd4 t2Jc6 25 Wxf8+! g7 29 g4

Bushill is relentless in his pursuit of the king and seeks to break the pawn barrier. 29 . . .g5

The queen is shooed away but it is a hollow victory because the kingside pawns are fatally weaken­ ed. Instead, 29 . . ...e7 30 gxh5 lth8 3 1 h6+ 'it>h7 leaves Black with a dour defensive task. 30 "d2 h4 31 .:tf3! '1ti>h8 32 .:tf6

A clinical finish. White cuts off the defence of the g5-pawn and closes in on the king. 32 •g8 3 2 . .f8 allows 33 "xg5 '6'g7 34 "xh4+ �g8 35 .:th6 winning. 33 .:th6+ 'it>g7 34 '6'xg5+ �f8 35 • . .

.

.

'6'xh4 1-0

6 i.e3 Summary

e6 NI'\\' MIIIII /'/1//'

Lane-Dautov is an cxall lp!t' o t how I handle a quick Jthli W l l h H ltJf3. It works well because Bl al'k I S tempted into the unusual 8 . .b(), which hardly helps queensidc pawll expansion. It would seem that the obvious move to counter White \ strategy is 8 . . ltJd4 but this runs into 9 i.xd4! and KovalevskaYIl­ Arakhamia Grant confirms my belief that White should emerge 011 top. 7 . . ""as is a recommendation by Ga\lagher but the old game Smyslov-Kottnauer emphasises that White has plenty of choice against the variation. Bushill-Tozer is another demonstration of how White can react against the queen manoeuvre, but this time with 8 ltJf3 which works out well. . .

is a marvellous example of a world-class player endorsing the new main line in the Closed Sicilian and reaching a win­ ning position after only 20 moves. An attempt to improve Black's de­ fensive task is given short shrift in Sof ronie-Covaci where White eas­ ily secures victory. If Black is happy to allow White an instant at­ tack he should at least check out the game Short-Movsesia n. The intro­ duction of 1 0 . . :it'a5 works well enough for Black to share the point. In Kosten-c.F1ear Black tries 7 . . . ltJd4 in an effort to do someth­ ing constructive while avoiding an early . . . ltJge7. White bides his time and still manages to play i.e3-h6 and end up with an advantage from the opening. Adams-Ward

." )

.

.

.

2

6 J.. e3 tiJf6

This is another one of Kasparov's favourites against 6 i.e3. He likes systems against the Closed Sicilian where the king's knight is devel­ oped to to. For instance, take a look at Short-Kasparov in the 6 f4 lbf6 chapter. His idea is to rapidly develop the kingside and try to divert White from his traditional kingside pawn storm by advancing on the queenside. The English stars Adams and Short are impressive against this variation and it is noteworthy how they dispense with h2-h3 for as long as possible. This is the difference from older examples where players were wary of allowing . . . lbf6-g4.

7 lbge2

It is a matter of taste whether to play the text or 7 h3. I suspect White is happy to invite 7 . . lbg4 when 8 i.d2 ltb8 9 h3 lbf6 1 0 f4 gives White a decent attacking plan of castling and a kingside pawn storm. 7 h3 is discussed in the main game, Bl iznyuk-Conquest. An attempt to transpose into the 6 f4 lbf6 lines backfires after 7 . . 0-0 8 f4 e5 9 lbfJ lbh5! and 1 0 �f2 cannot be right. .

.

7

. . .

0-0 8 h3 e5 9 0-0

Adams-Kasparov

Linares 1 999

I e4 c5 2 lbc3 d6 3 g3 lbc6 4 i.g2 g6 5 d3 i.g7 6 i.e3 lbf6

9 b5 ! ...

The starting point of the system.

A typical move by Kasparov who always seeks to grab the initiative in the opening. Others: a) 9 . . . ltb8 1 0 "d2 b5 1 1 f4 lbd4 1 2 g4 (the start of a standard king­ side pawn storm but the difference from the main game, Spassky­ GelIer, in the 6 f4 lbf6 chapter is that the important e5 square is already occupied, making it worse

6 .ie3 ltJ[6 3 J

fur Black) 1 2 . . . b4 1 3 ltJd l h5? (the text merely weakens the kingside although 1 3 . . . exf4 ! ? 1 4 .ixf4 ltJe6 1 5 .ih6 offers White the better prospects) 1 4 f5 ltJh 7 1 5 c3 bxc3 1 6 bxc3 ltJc6 1 7 gxh5 gxh5 1 8 ltJg3 �'h4 1 9 �h2 ltJf6 20 ltJt1 ltJg4+ 2 1 lOxg4 hxg4 22 .ig5 .h8 23 f6 gave White a big advantage in Vilar Lopez - Campo MiIlan, Zaragoza 1 999. b) 9 . . .ltJd4 1 0 �h2 l:tb8 1 1 f4 b5 12 .d2 b4 1 3 ltJd l ltJh5 1 4 f5 ! (a favourite of all 'Closed' players because the pawn advance tends to weaken Black ' s defence) 1 4 . . . gxf5 1 5 exf5 ltJxf5 1 6 l:txf5 .ixf5 1 7 g4 .ixg4 (or 1 7 . . . .ig6 1 8 gxh5 .ixh5 1 9 lOg3 .ig6 20 .id5 with an edge for White) 1 8 hxg4 .h4+ 1 9 .ih3 ltJf4 ( if 1 9 . . .4)f6 then 20 .ig5 ltJxg4+ 2 1 '.t>g2 .h5 22 ltJg3 'ii g6 23 .ixg4 h6 24 .ie7 gives White the advantage) 20 ltJxf4 exf4 2 1 .ixf4 lIbe8 2 2 ltJe3 .ie5 2 3 .ixe5 lIxe5 24 ltJf5 .f6 25 11ft led to victory in Keres-Darga, Amsterdam Olympiad 1 954. c) 9 . . . .ie6 1 0 f4 ltJd4 1 1 .d2 ltJxe2+ 1 2 ltJxe2 exf4 1 3 ltJxf4 .c7 1 4 l:t11 (White has the simple plan of doubling rooks on the f-file) 1 4 . . . ltJd7 1 5 c3 lIae8 1 6 d4 .ic4 (otherwise the threat of d4-d5 is irri­ tating) 1 7 b3 .ia6 1 8 ttJd5 .a5 1 9 .if4 when the weakness o f d6 gave Black problems in Vilar Lopez­ Guasch, Majorca 2000. 1 0 ltJxb5

White temporarily wins a pawn. 10 f4 b4 I I ltJd5 ltJxd5 1 2 exd5 ltJd4 1 3 fxe5 ltJxe2+ 1 4 .xe2 .ixe5 is slightly better for Black. 10 . . . l:tbS 1 1 a4

Or I I c4 a6 1 2 ltJbc3 lIxb2 1 3 'fic I with equal chances. Instead, a

few months later in Adams­ Topalov, Dos Hennanas 1 999, White improved with 1 1 ltJec3. That game went 1 1 . . . a6 1 2 ltJa3 lIxb2 1 3 ttJc4 11b8 1 4 .ig5 h6 (or 1 4 . . . .ie6 when 1 5 ttJd5 .ixd5 1 6 exd5 ttJe7 is unclear according to Adams) 1 5 .ixf6 .ixf6 1 6 ttJd5 .ig7 1 7 l:tb I lIxb I 1 8 .xb I ltJa5 1 9 'ii'b 6 ltJxc4 20 .xd8 lIxd8 2 1 dxc4 l:td7 22 ltJb6 lIc7 23 ltJxc8 lIxc8 24 l:tb I l:tc7 25 h4 lIa7 26 .ih3 �ffl 27 a4 a5 28 .ic8 .if6 29 l:tb8 �g7 30 .ib7 .ie7 with an equal position and an eventual draw after 56 moves. 1 1 . . . a6 12 ltJa3

White wishes, at the earliest opportunity, to oust the black rook after it has captured on b2. After 1 2 ltJbc3 lIxb2 Black can continue . . . ltJd4 with a decent position.

1 2 lIxb2 13 ltJc4 lIbS 14 f4 exf4 I S ltJxf4 ltJa5 • • •

1 5 . . . ltJe5 1 6 ltJxe5 dxe5 1 7 ltJd5 ltJxd5 1 8 exd5 .d6 1 9 .d2 .id7 is unclear according to Adams. 1 6 ltJd2 !

After 1 6 ltJxa5 Kasparov would be free to jockey for the best outposts for his pieces, e.g. 1 6 . . .•xa5 1 7 .id2 .c7 1 8 .ic3 c4 1 9 .id4 .ib7, intending ltJd7, is slightly better for Black. 16 . . . .id7 17 lIa2 .ic6 I S ltJf3 .iaS 19 c4

Perhaps 1 9 g4, to generate king­ side play, should be considered.

19 . . . ttJd7 20 l:tafl ltJb3 2 1 h4 ltJd4 22 .ih3 ltJxf3+ 23 .xf3 ltJe5 24 .dl .e7 25 h5 :'b4 26 h6 .ihS

The only move as 26 . . . .ixh6 27 ltJxg6! hxg6 28 .ixh6 would leave White with exceIlent attacking chances. 27 ltJe6 !tfbS 2S ltJg5 !tb2!

32 6 �e3 0,f6 'ii'h 7 with an extra pawn and a technical win. 44 'ii'g l 'ihh6 45 "e7?

An error in return. Instead, 45 "xa6 .if7 46 "xd6 "e3+ 47 '1t>h2 'ii'g 7 4S �d5 offers reasonable chances of drawing. 45 . . ...c l + 46 �n �fi 47 .xd6

"e3+ 48 �h l as 49 1t'd8+ �e8 50 �g2

29 �f4 ? !

At the critical moment White plays inaccurately. In his notes to the game, upon which our analysis is based, Adams points out the star move 29 l:txf7 ! and after 29 . . . 00xf7 30 .ie6 �f6 3 1 "g4! l:tb I (3 1 . . . Af8 32 0,xf7 Axf7 33 �g5 hS 34 .txf7 �xg5 35 "cS+ "dS 36 "xdS+ .txdS 3 7 �e6 .ie7 3S lIf7 l:tb7 39 l:tg7 wins) 32 0,xf7 l:txfl + 33 'iti'xfl l:teS (33 . . . l:tf8 34 0,xd6+ �hS 35 0,f7+ l:txf7 36 .txf7 "xf7 37 "cS+ "gS 3S "xc5 the extra pawns White has for the piece give him the better chances) 34 0,g5+ �hS 35 0,f7+ with a draw by repetition.

50 "xa5 runs into 50 . . . �c6+ 5 1 �g2 .h3+ 52 �g l "xg2 mate.

50 . . ...e l + 5 1 'it>h2 "e5+ 52 �h3 'ii'g7 53 i.d5 a4 54 -.06 �d7+ 55 'ii'g 2 "eH 56 �g l a3 57 "xc5 "e l + 58 �g2 a2 59 "d4+ �h7 0-1

Logical is S . . . l:tbS to advance the b-pawn. Short finds a good way to blunt this queenside activity. Short-McShane

Reykjavik 2000

I e4 cS 2 0,c3 0,c6 3 g3 g6 4 .tg2 .tg7 5 d3 d6 6 �e3 0,f6 7 0,ge2 0-0 8 0-0

29 . . . �f6 30 0,1'3 .tc6 31 0,xe5?

3 1 a5 ! maintains the tension although Black still has an edge.

3 1 . . . .i.u5 32 "1'3 f5 33 �u5 "uS 34 g4 lIxfl

Kasparov points out that 34 . . . �xe4 35 dxe4 l:t2b3 36 "h I ! gets White back into the game. 35 l:txfl l:tb1 + 36 .tn l:tb2 ! 37 l:txb2 "xb2 38 gxf5 "d4+ 39 'ii' b l

i.xa4 40 fxg6 hxg6 4 1 e5! "uS 42 "b7 �e8 43 �g2 "h5+?

In games at world-class level a slight inaccuracy can have serious consequences. Here Kasparov should have preferred 43 . . . a5! 44 .td5 + �hS 45 i.e6 ! i.c6+ ! 46 "xc6 "xe6 47 "c7 "e5 4S "xa5

8 . . . :b8

Black wishes to support the advance of the b-pawn with the rook. Alternatively: a) S . . . i.d7 9 h3 0,eS (9 . . . "cS 1 0 h2 is fine) 1 0 "d2 (as usual the idea of exchanging Black's dark­ squared piece is an easy plan to

6 i. e3 1tJf6 33 follow) 1 0 . . . f5 I I exf5 i.xf5 1 2 i.h6 'i'd7 1 3 i.xg7 ltJxg7 1 4 g4 i.e6 1 5 .l:.ae I i.f7 1 6 ltJe4 a5 1 7 'i'h6 ltJe6 18 ltJf4 ! ltJcd8 ( 1 8 . . . ltJxf4 1 9 ltJg5 wins) 19 ltJd5 i.e8 20 ltJg5 ltJxg5 2 1 ltJxe7+ �f7 22 'iWxg5 ltJe6 23 i.d5 1 -0 Forster­ Oesterle, Vorarlberg 1 995. b) 8 . . . ltJg4 9 i.d2 ltJd4 1 0 'i'c l ltJe5 I I t� ttJec6 1 2 h3 with a small edge, Euwe-Colle, Zutphen 1 924.

12 . . . b4 13 ltJbS ltJe8 1 4 l:tb l ltJa7?!

9 h3

An improvement on the game Adams-McShane, Kilkenny 1 999, where 9 a4 was played. There fol­ lowed 9 . . . a6 10 'ii'c I b5 1 1 axb5 axb5 12 i. h6 b4 1 3 ltJd5 e6 1 4 i.xg7 'it>xg7 1 5 ltJe3 d 5 1 6 exd5 exd5 1 7 :e I it.b7 1 8 ltJt't ltJd4 1 9 l:ta4 l:te8 20 h4 ltJe6 2 1 ltJxe6+ l:txe6 22 l:ta7 'ii'b 6 23 :a I :be8 24 'ii'd2 with an equal game that event­ ually led to a draw. 9 . . . bS 10 a3

This is usually a good reply to ... b5 as if Black pushes on the pawn with ... b4, White captures it and has the open a-file for his queen's rook. I O . . . i.d7

1 0 . . . a5, to support the advance . . . b5-b4, was tried in the game Adams-Van Wely, Frankfurt 1 999. There followed I I 'ii'd2 b4 12 axb4 axb4 13 ltJd5 ltJd7 14 i.h6 (the standard middlegame ploy of exchanging dark-squared bishops is a familiar theme in this l ine, but also possible is 14 d4 i.a6 15 l:tfd l e6 1 6 ltJdf4 ltJb6 1 7 b3 with an edge) 14 . . . i.xh6 1 5 'ii'x h6 e6 1 6 ltJe3 ltJd4 1 7 ltJxd4 cxd4 1 8 ltJc4 ltJe5 1 9 b3 'ii'c 7 20 1'4 ltJxc4 2 1 dxc4 f6 22 h4 when White was slightly better. 1 1 f4 as 1 2 a4

1 2 g4, making way for ltJe2-g3, is another idea in this system, when 1 2 . . . b4 1 3 axb4 axb4 1 4 ltJa4 1:a8 is roughly equal.

McShane tries a novel way to oust the knight from b5. IS c4

Black's c1evsr idea is 1 5 ltJxa7 i.xa4 ! 16 f5 'ii'b6 and the queen's knight leaves the board. IS . . . bxc3 1 6 1tJxa7 cxb2

B lack has a couple of pawns for the piece but it is not enough against a former world title challenger. 1 7 eS 'iWb6 1 8 ltJbS i.xbS 1 9 axbS 'ii'x bS 2 0 ltJc3 'ii'd 7

Not 20 . . . W'b4? 2 1 ltJd5 'ii'a 3 22 ltJxe7+ �h8 23 'ii'c2 and White is clearly'. better. 2 1 "'a4 'ir'd8

The ending after 2 1 . . . 'ii'x a4 22 ltJxa4 is much better for White thanks to his active pieces. For in­ stance: 22 . . .dxe5 23 fxe5 i.xe5 24 i.xc5 ltJd6 25 l:t fe I with advantage. 22 'ir'a3 dxeS 23 i.xcs

34 6 �e3 ClJf6 23

. • .

ClJc7

Or 23 . . . ClJd6 24 J:txb2 J:txb2 25 'ii'x b2 exf4 26 J:txf4 and White is on top.

24 �xe7 'ii'd4+ 2S � h l l:Ife8 26 .i.d6 ClJbS 27 ClJxbS J:txbS 28 fxeS �xeS 29 'ii'a 2 J:te6 30 .i.xeS

30 'ii'c 4!? also looks good.

30 . . .'ii'xeS 31 �h2 hS 32 1H4 J:tf6 33 d4 'ii'd 6 34 J:txf6 'ii'x f6 3S J:txb2

The troublesome pawn on b2 is finally captured and Short has no wornes. 3S l:tgS 36 1H2 'ii'e7 37 h4 J:tg4 • . .

38 J:txn 1 -0

The idea of . . . �d7 and . . . 'ii'c 8, making it awkward for White to castle kingside. is a novel reaction to 7 h3. Bliznyuk-Conquest

Canberra 1 999

1 e4 cS 2 ClJc3 ClJc6 3 g3 g6 4 �g2 �g7 S d3 d6 6 �e3 ClJf6 7 h3 �d7 8 ltJge2 'ii'c8

Though an early ..'ii'c 8 may pose some problems at club level. there is plenty of scope in the Closed for White to formulate alternative middlegame plans . 9 f4

Treybal-Pelikan, Prague 1 936, saw White play passively against Black's set-up: 9 'ii'd2 h5 1 0 ClJd5 b5 (without the queen's knight covering the square Black seizes the chance to advance the b-pawn) 1 1 ClJxf6+ �x f6 1 2 c3 J:tb8 1 3 f4 b4 (Black has already achieved the short-term goal of creating counter­ play) 1 4 c4 ClJd4 1 5 ClJxd4 cxd4 1 6 � f2 (the idea o f obtaining a decent attack by �e3-h6 has had to be abandoned) 1 6 . . . a5 1 7 l:tc I �g7 1 8 h4 e5 1 9 0-0 .c5 20 �e I �h6 ! gave Black the better chances. 9 . . . hS

Otherwise White will eventually continue with g3-g4 to thwart the attack against h3. 1 0 'ii'd 2

1 0 . . .J:tb8

An interesting plan by the English grandmaster. The attack on h3 pre­ vents castling and takes White away from standard lines. It is not new, Pcl ikan played it in the 1 930s, but results of subsequent games suggest that it has not stood the test of time.

This rook move, to support the advance of the b-pawn, is a feature of the other main games. Other tries have not made much of an impact: a) 1 0 . . . a6 1 1 ltJd 1 (an echo of the main game: White commences a manoeuvre to add extra protection to the h3 pawn) I 1 . . . b5 1 � ClJf2 ClJh7 1 3 c3 0-0 1 4 f5 ! ? ( a

6

speculative sacrifice to expose Black's kingside although 14 0-0 is simple and good) 14 . . . gxf5 1 5 �h6 ( 1 5 iLlf4, to hound the h-pawn, is not so clear after 1 5 . . . iLlf6 16 'ir'e2 b4! ) 1 5 . . . fxe4 1 6 dxe4 f5 1 7 �xg7 �xg7 1 8 iLlf4 'ii'e 8 19 'ii'e 2 e5 (or 1 9 . . . iLlf6 20 �f3 l:th8 2 1 exf5 i.xf5? 22 �xc6 'ii'xc6 23 'ii'x e7+ wins) 20 iLlxh5+ 'ifi>h8 and now, instead of 21 exf5 �xf5 22 g4 �g6 23 0-0 with a slight advantage, Nagy-Paszler, Hungarian Team Ch 1994, White should have played 2 1 l:d I ! with excellent chances. b) 1 0 . . . e5 1 1 fxe5 iLlxe5 1 2 0-0-0 'ii'c7 1 3 l:dfl (White has seen the obvious intention and sets a cheeky trap) 1 3 . . . 0-0-0? 14 l:txf6 �xf6 1 5 tiJd5 gave White a clear advantage in Zatulovskaya-Worthmiiller, Bad Worishofen 1 992. 1 1 iLld l !

I was watching this game and no­ ticed how White was already wel l ahead on the clock because so far he had faced no real threats and could just play typical opening moves. Now the idea is to transfer the knight to f2 in order to castle kingside.

�e3 iLlf6

35

Bliznyuk wishes to add extra protection to h3, but this is wrong. A sensible move is 1 4 c3 when 14 . . . iLlxe2+ 1 5 'ii'x e2 leaves White a small advantage. 1 4 . . .'ii'a 6?

Conquest misses a chance to justify his offbeat opening strategy with the amazing 1 4 . . . �xh3 ! , which plunges White into problems. For example: 1 5 fxe5 ( 1 5 �xh3? iLlf3+ 1 6 'ifi>h I iLlxd2 1 7 �xc8 t;Jxfl wins or 1 5 iLlxh3 iLlg4+ 1 6 'ifi>g l tDxe3 1 7 'ii'x c3 iLlxc2 1 8 'ir'd2 iLlxa I 1 9 l:txa I h4 otTers decent chances) 1 5 . . . .i.xg2 1 6 exf6 �xfl 1 7 iLlxd4 �xf6 1 8 iLlf3 �xd3 1 9 cxd3 h4 and it is White who is on the defensive. IS e3 iLlxe2 16 'ir' xe2 �f8 Good or bad, 16 . . . 0-0 should be considered because the king walk is too slow and leaves Black's pieces lacking co-ordination. 1 7 'iVd2 l:[d8 18 d4!

With the king rather vulnerable on f8 and the queen a spectator on a6, it is a good decision to open the position. 18 . . . exf4 19 �xf4 i.bS 20 Itfel

'ifi>g 8

1 l .. , b6?!

Conquest is trying to keep all his options open but he needs to create some play with the superior 1 1 . . . b5. 12 tiJf2 eS 1 3 0-0 iLld4 14 'iti>h2?!

2 1 dxeS bxeS 22 eS !

Suddenly, the pin on the d-file becomes significant. Black is busted. 22 . . .iLlh7

36 6 .i.e3 CiJf6 22 . CiJe8 is met by 23 CiJe4 with a clear advantage. . .

23 exd6 g5

A last ditch effort to create com­ plications in a lost position.

24 .i.xg5 l:txd6 25 'i'f4 CiJxg5 26 'ii'x g5

One of the reasons why this game will not be found on any computer database is because the remaining moves were played in a frantic time­ scramble and were not recorded. However, a kindly arbiter recon­ structed the score for me. The game concluded:

26 . . . h4 27 g4 'ii'b6 28 CiJe4 :c6 29 l:.ad l :'c8 30 :d6 'ii'c7 3 1 � h l �f8 32 :ed l .i.e8 3 3 l:td8 l:txd8 34 l:.xd8 l:th6 35 'ii'x c5+?

35 :xe8+! �xe8 36 'ii'x g7 wins.

35 . . .'ii'x c5 36 CiJxc5 �e7 37 l:ta8 l:.d6 38 l:txa7+ �f8 39 .i.f3 :d2

'Iz-'Iz White agreed to. a draw due to his severe time pressure-and a glance at his opponent's high Elo rating!

Summary

The game Adams-Kasparov demonstrates Black's desire to upset his opponent's standard kingside build-up. However it is by no means lethal and Adams' improvement against Topalov in the note to White's eleventh move is worth noting. S hort-McS hane is a chance for White to show how to handle the basic plan of . . . l:.b8 followed by . . . b7-b5. 1 2 a4 is well timed to prevent this activity and after some carelessness by Black, White uses his extra material to win. An intriguing contest IS Bliznyuk­ Conquest where Black, the higher rated player, tries to catch White out in the opening. Though it backfires, White does present him with one chance to come out of the opening with a good game--but it is missed.

6 ..te3 �b8

3

The success of lines starting with prompted leading players in the archives for IIhcrnatives. 6 . . .l:tb8 is another way of doing something positive while delaying the development of the k ing's knight and thus avoiding i.c3-h6. The idea of preparing . . b7-b5 was favoured by the fonner world champion Fischer so it comes with a good pedigree. I have chosen to concentrate on the key move 8 (f)ge2, which has been employed successfully at the highest level and provides White with a clear middlegame plan of castling k ingside and exchanging the dark-squared bishops. h i.e3 has 10 look

Adams-Sax

Gennan Team Ch 1 997 1 e4 cS 2 �c3 �c6 3 g3 g6 4

.i. g2 .i. g7 S d3 d6 6 .i. e3 l:tb8

7 "it'd2 bS 8 �ge2 Adams has given this move his seal of approval-an indication that it is worth investigating. Also possible: a) 8 �f3 b4 9 �d l .i.g4 1 0 h3 .i.xf3 I I .i.xf3 � to 1 2 .i.g2 0-0 1 3 0-0 l:te8 1 4 .i.h6 with equal chances, Smyslov-Fischer, Zagreb 1 970. b) 8 f4 b4 9 �d'l 'ii'b6 I 0 �f3 f5 I I O-O! (an improvement on a critical game in this line that went I I a3 a5 1 2 aXb4 axb4 1 3 l:tb l �f6 1 4 �f2 �g4 1 5 �xg4 fxg4 1 6 �h4 .ic3 ! and Black was winning in Yudasin-Kislev, Podolsk 1 99 1 ) I \ . . .�f6 1 2 exf5 ! gxf5 1 3 c.t>h l 0-0 1 4 .i.g I .i.d7 1 5 �e3 'ube8 16 �c4 "it'c7 1 7 a3 a5 1 8 axb4 axb4 1 9 l:Ue I �h8 20 c3 otlered White the better chances in the game, Costagliola­ Shchekachev, Corsica 1 997. 8 . . . �d4 The main alternative is 8 . . . b4 when play transposes after 9 ttJd I ttJd4 1 0 0-0. If Black wants to play something different he can try 9 . . . e5, to exert control over the d4 square. For instance: 1 0 0-0 �d4 I I �c l (a standard manoeuvre to play c2-c3 and force the knight on d4 to retreat) I 1 . . . .i.g4 1 2 f3 .i.d7 1 3 c3 �c6 1 4 f4 �f6 1 5 fxe5 �xe5 1 6 .i.h6 ( a common theme to exchange the important defensive bishop on g7) 16 . . . bxc3 1 7 bxc3 .i.xh6 1 8

38 6 �e3 :Oh8 .xh6 ltJeg4 1 9 .f4 .e7 20 d4 gave White the superior chances in Lazic-Oragoj lovic, Cutro 200 I . S . . . e6 is examined in the next game. 9 0-0 b4 9 . . .•a5 has been suggested but Black never seems keen to win a pawn after 1 0 f4 when, for example, 10 . . . �xe2+ 1 1 .xe2 �xc3 1 2 bxc3 .xc3 1 3 f5 exposes the weak dark-squares around the black king, which gives White good compensa­ tion for the pawn. In the game Adams-Ivanchuk, L inares 1 999, 9 . . . h5 was an enterprising try, de­ signed to initiate attacking chances on the h-tile. There followed 1 0 b4 ! ? ( 1 0 h4 i s also possible) 1 O . . . a5!? ( 1 0 . . . ltJxe2+ 1 1 ltJxe2 �xa I 1 2 l:txa I is unclear according to Adams) 1 I bxc5 dxc5 1 2 l:tab l .id7 (or 1 2 . . . b4 I 3 ltJa4 .c7 1 4 c3 ltJxe2+ I S .xe2 bxc3 16 �xc5 gives White the better chances) 1 3 e 5 ! �xe5 1 4 ltJe4 .i.g4 (Adams l'oints out that 1 4 . . . �c6 1 5 c3 ! ttJxe2+ 16 • xe2 �xe4 1 7 dxe4 "'6 I S :Ofc l �d6 1 9 a4 b4 20 cxb4 axb4 2 1 e5 gives White the advan­ tage and 1 4 •c7 I S c3 ltJxe2+ 1 6 .xe2 �g4 1 7 f3 �f5 I S d4 is also better for White) 15 f3 �fS 16 f4 �g7 1 7 ltJxc5 ltJh6? (a better bet is 1 7 . . . ltJxe2+ I S .xe2 b4 1 9 �c6+ �f8 20 .g2 ttJf6 although B lack 's king is misplaced) and now, instead of I S tLlxd4?!, White should play Adams's own suggestion of I S tLlb7 l:txb7 ! ? 19 �xb7 tLlg4 20 .ixd4 .i.xd4+ 2 1 4Jxd4 .xd4+ 22 �h l h4 ! 23 l:txb5 l:th5 24 .xa5 �f8 (24 . . . hxg3 25 .as+ wins) 25 :Ob4 ! .e3 2 6 .dS+ �g7 27 .d4+ -.xd4 2S l:txd4 hxg3 29 'it'g I l:lxh2 when White has an advantage. 10 tLldl . . .

10 .c7? ! Before White has revealed his set­ up, it is a bit early to commit the queen to c7: a) 10 . . . e6 and now: a l ) 1 1 thS 36 1:1xe6 wins.

S ummary

4 6 �e3 e5 and other 6th moves for Black A fter 6 �e3 it clear that onc of Whitc's goals is 1 0 exchange dark­ s4uared bishops with 'it'd l -d2 followed by �e3-h6. Consequently 6 . eS has emerged as a favourite rcply for those who wish to create a wall of pawns on the dark squares. The increased popularity of the 6 .ic3 line has also seen the rc-emergence of a number of neglected lines by Black. These do not seriously question White's opening choice but it is helpful to know how to react against such rare alternatives. . .

AI.Karpov-Kallai

Budapest 1 989

I e4 cS 2 ttJc3 ttJc6 3 g3 g6 4

� g2 � g7 S d3 d6 6 .iie3 eS 7 'iWd2

7 ...ttJd4

The black knight usually occupies d4 but White will try to demonstrate that here this move is premature.

7 . . . �e6 can also be considered when after 8 f4 play might continuc: a) 8 . . . exf4 9 �xf4 tiJd4 \ 0 ttJf3 'ikd7 I I 0-0 ttJe7 1 2 ttJgS h6 1 3 ttJxe6 fxe6 1 4 �h3 ttJec6 I S ttJdS gS? ( l S . . . O-O! when 1 6 c3 is met by 1 6 . . . gS with a double-edged game) 1 6 jLe3 'ikd8 1 7 c3 exdS 1 8 cxd4 ttJe7 1 9 dxcS dxcS 20 'it'd I 'it'aS 2 1 'ikg4 .c7 22 :ae I ttJc6 23 'ikhS+ '.ti>d8 24 :f7 1 -0 La Rota-Bimboim, Saint John 1 988. b) 8 . . . ttJd4 9 ttJf3 ttJe7 1 0 0-0 0-0 I I :t2 (the plan of doubling on the f-file is simple and good) 1 1 . . .1!t'd7 1 2 ttJgS :tab8 1 3 tiJxe6 'jixe6 1 4 :tafl gave White a good base for starting a kingside attack, Short­ M.Rodriguez, Linares 2000. c) 8 . . . tiJge7 9 ttJf3 exf4 \ 0 �xf4 h6 (the idea behind this move is to stop �e3-h6, exchanging bishops. However, it does mean that for the time being Black can't castle king­ side without fear of losing his h­ pawn) 1 I h4 (a nice move to stop ... g6-gS) 1 1 . . . 'ikd7 1 2 a3 ttJeS 1 3 ttJxeS �xeS ( 1 3 . . . dxeS 1 4 jLe3 is approximately level) 14 0-0-0 jLg7 I S ttJdS ttJc6 1 6 l:tdfl bS 1 7 �c3 �xdS ( 1 7 . . . b4 should be considered to accelerate an attack on the while king) 1 8 exd5 tiJeS 1 9 h5 g5 20 .iie4 (the purpose of 1 9 h5 is rc' vealed because now White stops Black from castling queenside dill' to the devastating threat of .if\

44 6 i.e3 e5 and other 6th moves for Black

pinning queen and king) 20 . . . b4 2 1 axb4 "a4 22 .a :'b8 23 b3! (Kosten told me he missed this move which thwarts his counter­ play) 23 • a3+ 24 �d2 "xb4+ (or 24 . . . :'xb4 2S i.xcS! dxcS 26 'ili'xcs wins) 2S �e2 (the white king is in the middle of the board but is fairly well protected. Black's king is also in the middle but it is particularly badly placed because it prevents the co-ordination of the rooks) 2S . . . :b7 (2S . . . 0-0 26 .fS :fd8 27 i.xgS hxgS 28 h6 wins) 26 .fS :'c7 27 i.d2 'ili'bS 28 :'a I (There is a marked difTerence in the mobility of the white and black rooks) 28 •d7 29 :a6 .x fS 30 i.xfS �e7 (at last the king's rook is given some scope but White already has a sizable initiative) 3 1 :'ha l :a8 32 :'1 a4 (White has a superior ending and steadily improves his position) 32 . . . lOd7 33 :e4:+- i.eS 34 i.c3 f6 35 i.xeS fxeS 36 i.xd7 :xd7 37 :ea4 �d8 38 �f3 rJ;e7 39 �e4 :b7 40 rJ;fS l:td7 4 1 �g6? (in an effort to find a decisive finish White takes his time but walks into an amazing trap) 4 1 . . . :g8 42 �h7?? (another mistake allowing Kosten to pull off a wonderful swindle) 42 . . . �f8+ 43 �xh6 l:tdg7 0- 1 A.Ledger-Kosten, Team Championship British (4NCL) 200 1 . 8 lOce2 . . .

. . .

A clever positional idea, prepar­ ing to oust the knight by c3. This manoeuvre can also be seen in the chapter on S . . . e6 6 i.e3. There are a couple of other ways to deal with the centralised knight: a) 8 lOdS i.e6 and now: a I ) 9 c4 lOe7 1 0 lOxe7 "xe7 1 1 lOe2 fS 1 2 i.xd4 (the opening can­ not be regarded as a success if the important dark-squared bishop has to be exchanged for a knight rather than the g7 bishop) 1 2 . . . cxd4 1 3 0-0 0-0 1 4 f4 ( 1 4 b4, to create queenside play, runs into 1 4 . . . f4 ! , intending . . . g6-gS with a kingside attack, when I S gxf4 exf4 1 6 lOxf4? .gS wins the pinned knight) 14 . . . fxe4 I S i.xe4 i.h3 16 :a :'ae8 1 7 .as b6 1 8 'ir'dS+ �h8 1 9 i.g2 i.fS gave Black the advantage in Zickelbein-De Firrnian, Hamburg 1 999. a2) 9 c3 i.xdS 10 exdS lOfS (the point of Black's play is revealed because he has managed to create a situation where he can exchange the dark-squared bishop for the knight) 1 1 lOh3 lO_se7 1 2 0-0 0-0 1 3 f4 lOxe3 1 4 "xe3 .b6 with equal chances, Konig-Shabalov, Fox­ woods 2000. b) 8 lOd I lOe7 9 c3 lOe6 1 0 lOe2 ( I 0 i.h6 is also worth considering in order to continue with the plan of exchanging the dark-squared bishop; then 1 0 . . . 0-0 1 1 i.xg7 rJ;xg7 1 2 lOe2 leaves White a slight edge) 10 . . _0-0 1 1 0-0 fS 1 2 f4 exf4 1 3 lOxf4 lOxf4 14 i.xf4 dS I S lOa fxe4 1 6 dxe4 d4 1 7 c4 (chances are roughly equal) 1 7 . . . i.e6 1 8 b3 lOc6 1 9 ttJd3 b6 20 i.h6 .d7 2 1 i.xg7 rJ;xg7 22 eS i.fS 23 i.xc6 .xc6 24 lOf4 :ae8 2S :ae I i.e4 26 e6 :f5 27 g4 :e5 28 'ii'a �g8? 29 lOxg6 1 -0 Dumont-Matsuura, Rio de Janeiro 2000.

6 �e3 e5 and other 6th muves/o,. Black 8 . .. lLle7 9 c3 lLle6

It might be a better idea to avoid possible cong�estion by exchanging I) lLlxe2 10 lLJxe2 0-0 I I �h6 with a slight edge. . . .

10 f4 fS

Kallai is quick to block the advance f4-f5. 1 1 lLln �d7 1 2 fxeS dxeS 1 3 .ih6

As usual the middlegame plan is easy to understand because it involves exchanging the dark­ squared bishops when the e5 pawn will be weak. 13 . . . �f6 14 d4

The start of an intriguing com­ bination which exploits B lack's set­ up to grab the initiative. 14 . . .exd4 15 eS dxc3 1 6 lLlxc3

After 1 6 'ir'xc3 lLlg8 1 7 exf6 lLlxh6 1 9 l:the I 'ir'c7, Black can whisk his king to safety by castling queenside.

16 . . . .tg7 0-0-0

17

�xg7 lLlxg7

18

45

1 8 . . .lLle6 1 9 lLlgS h6

Black can try to block the d-file with 19 . . .lLld4 but this would invite White to sacrifice another pawn by 20 e6! to open central lines for the rooks, e.g. 20 . . . lLlxe6 (20 . . . �xe6 2 1 lLlxe6 lLlxe6 22 .e3 lLld4 23 l:the l rj;f7 24 We5 wins) 2 1 l:the l lLld4 (2 1 . . . lLlxg5 22 'ir'xg5 �f7 23 'ir'f4, intending 'ir'd6, is good for White) 22 lLld5 when the pinned knight on e7 is bad news tor B lack. 20 lLlbS!

White ignores the threat to the king 's knight and aims to wreak havoc by planting the queen 's knight on d6. 20 . . . �xbS

A test of White's sacrifice is 20 . . . lLlxg5 but 2 1 lLld6+ rj;f8 22 lLlxb7 'ir'c7 23 'ir'xd7 justifies the combination and leaves Black struggling. 2 1 lLJxe6

White traps the enemy king in the centre. 2 1 . . .'ir'b6

Kallai would dearly like to ex­ change queens to reduce the attack but 2 1 . . . 'ir'xd2+ gives White a good ending with an extra pawn after 22 l:txd2 l:tc8 23 �xb7 l:tb8 24 lLlxc5. 22 "'d6 l:tc8 23 l:the l

White brings the other rook to the centre. Now 23 . . ....xd6 can be met by 24 exd6 when the king's rook will target the black king. 23 . . .l:tg8 �xb7

It is unusual for White to castle queenside in the Closed but the special circumstances of the position make it a good ploy. Now the pressure on the d-file is irritating for Black.

24

'ir'xb6

axb6

25

The forcing sequence continues. Black's main problem is that his king, stuck in the centre, disrupts the co-ordination of his rooks.

2S .. ..!::tb 8 26 lLlc7+ �f8 27 lLlxbS l:txb7 28 e6

46 6 i.e3 e5 and other 6th moves Jor Black

To add to Black's woes, Karpov has the trump of the passed pawn.

28 . . .�g7 29 l:td7 l:txd7 30 exd7 �f6 3 1 t:i'Jc7 l:td8 32 l:te6+ �n 33 l:td6 ltJg8 34 ltJe6 �e7 35 l:txb6 l:txd7 36 ltJxc5

The connected passed queenside pawns give White a clearly winning advantage. The $ame concluded:

36 l:tc7 37 b4 t:i'Jf6 38 a3 g5 39 �d2 h5 40 �e2 (40 l1e6+ �f7 4 1 l:teS also wins) 40 l:ta7 4 1 a4 �n 42 a5 ltJd5 43 l:tb8 l:tc7 44 a6 ltJxb4 45 1:txb4 l1xc5 46 l:ta4 l:tc8 47 a7 l:ta8 48 l:ta6 h4 49 gxh4 gxh4 50 �f3 �e7 1-0. • • .

. . •

The attacking scheme outlined in the chapter 6 i.e3 e6 can also be used against 6 . . . eS. However, it is worth noting White's alternative, 8 f4, outlined in the note after 8 .i.h6. Orlov-Rago

Porto San Giorgio 2000 1 e4 c5 2 ltJc3 ltJc6 3 g3 d6 4 i.g2 g6 5 d3 i.g7 6 i.e3 e5 7 .d2 ltJge7 8 i.h6

This is certainly consistent-the attacking ideas in the present game can be traced back to the chapter on 6 i.e3 e6. The difference here, how­ ever, is that . . . eS, an essential part of Black's defensive formation, has been played in one move instead of two.

In this position, instead of i.h6, White should seriously consider 8 f4 when 8 . . . ltJd4 9 ltJf3 0-0 1 0 0-0 exf4 transposes to the Adams­ Kramnik game in the chapter 6 f4 eS. In addition, 1 0 . . . .i.g4 would transpose to Short-Nataf and 1 0 . . . l1b8 to Hernandez-De Firmian. This line with 8 t� represents a major alternative for White and is worth checking out. 8 h4 is an old favourite of Hort but few have been willing to take up the cha\1enge for White since the game, Conquest­ Smirin, Komotini 1 992. That game went 8 . . . hS! 9 ltJh3 ltJd4 1 0 f4 i.g4 1 1 0-0 .d7 (an improvement on Hort-Portisch, Wijk aan Zee 1 968, which continued 1 1 . . . exf4 1 2 ltJxf4 0-0 1 3 l:t£2 �h7 1 4 l:tafl .d7 I S t:i'JcdS ltJg8 1 6 �h2 ltJc6 1 7 ltJh3 f6 1 8 c3 with advantage to W hite) 1 2 �h2 0-0 1 3 :£2 bS 1 4 l:tafl b4 I S ltJd 1 exf4 ! 1 6 .i.xf4 ( 1 6 gxf4 f5 firmly installs the bishop on g4) 1 6 . . . dS! 1 7 i.h6 dxe4 1 8 .i.xg7 �xg7 19 ltJgS ( 1 9 dxe4? fails dismally after 1 9 . . . .i.xh3 20 i.xh3 ltJf3+ ! winning) 1 9 . . . ltJf3 + 20 ltJxf3 exf3 2 1 .i.xf3 i.xf3 22 l:txf3 ltJc6 23 ltJe3 (I think perhaps 23 .gS ! ? when 23 . . . ltJd4 24 .eS+ �g8 2S l:t3£2 is equal) 23 . . . f6 24 .£2 fS 2S ltJc4 .d4 26 .d2 l:tae8 gave Black at least equality. 8

• • •

0-0 9 h4

6 �e3 e5 alld uther 6th If White is well-versed in its nuances, this straightforward attack can be enough to secure victory against a poorly prepared opponent because it is so similar to the lines in the 6 �e3 e6 chapter. White has also tried 9 �xg7 but after 9 . . . �xg7 1 0 f4 results have been variable. For example: a) IO . . .�e6 I1 4Jf3 f6 (controll ing g5) 1 2 0-0 itJd4 1 3 liJ h4 (or 1 3 ttJd5 4Jxf3+ 1 4 �xf3 liJxd5 1 5 exd5 �h3 with equal chances) 1 3 . . . "b6 14 l:t£2 c4 ( 1 4 . . . exf4 ! ? is a reliable alternative. although 1 4 . . ...xb2? ! hands White the initiative after 1 5 l:tb I "a3 1 6 l:txb7) 1 5 dxc4 �xc4 1 6 b 3 �g8 1 7 4Ja4 "c7 1 8 c 3 4Jdc6 1 9 c4 4Jd4 20 l:c I l:tad8 2 1 �h3 h6 22 4Jg2, intending 4Jg2-e3, gave White a slight edge in Spassky-De Firmian, London 1 984. b) 1 0 . . . 4Jd4 1 1 4Jf3 ( 1 1 4Jd 1 exf4 1 2 gxf4 f5 gives Black at least equality) 1 1 . . . �g4 ! (this is the significant difference compared to lines in the chapter 6 �e3 e6 because Black is able to initiate exchanges in his favour) 1 2 0-0 �xf3 1 3 �xf3 'itb6! 1 4 4Jd l (King suggests 1 4 l:tab 1 or 1 4 :£2 as possible improvements) 1 4 . . . c4 1 5 �h I cxd3 1 6 "xd3 l:tac8 1 7 c3 4Jxf3 1 8 l:xf3 f5 (the white pawns lack support and the position col­ lapses against Black's skilful play) 19 b3 d5! 20 l:n dxe4 2 1 "d7 l:tfe8 22 4Jb2 l:cd8 23 "a4 exf4 24 gxf4 4Jc6 25 4Jc4 "c5 26 "a3 "xa3 27 4Jxa3 l:td3 28 :ac I l:ted8 29 4Jb5 a6 30 4Jc7 �f6 3 1 c4 4Je7 0- 1 Narayana-King, Calcutta 1 993. 9 . . f6 .

It is worth reminding White that this defensive move contains a sting.

m o\'(',\'

/11/

mll. -J,.

,, !

Now 1 0 h5? fails dramatically upon 1 0 . . . �xh6 I I "xh6 g5 intending . . . 'it>h8 and . . . 4Jg8 to attack the trapped queen. Instead, 9 . . . �xh6 is examined in the next main game. 10 .ltxg7 �xg7 1 1 hS gS 12 h6+

A look at the main game, Adams-Ward, from the 6 �e3 c6 chapter, will confirm that this is the right approach-now, when White plays £2-f4, there is no longer the possibility of . . . h7-h6, supporting the g5 pawn. 1 2 . . . �h8 13 f4 exf4 14 gxf4 gxf4 I S 0-0-0

There is no rush to restore ma­ terial equality. Now that the king­ side has been opened White can calmly continue with his prepara­ tions for an attack. On the other hand, 1 5 4Jge2 is met by 1 5 . . f5 1 6 4Jxf4 fxe4 1 7 �xe4 �g4 and White's attack has been stilled because he cannot castle queenside. .

IS

•.•

4Jg6 16 4Jge2 �g4 1 7 l:tdfl

Now his pieces are fully devel­ oped, Orlov wants to recapture the pawn on f4 so that his queen can contribute to the attack. 1 7 ..a5 1 8 4JIf4 4Jd4 If 1 8 . . . 4Jge5 then 1 9 i-h.1 . exchanging bishops and opening the g-fiIe, gives White the better game. . . .

48 6 �e3 e5 alld olher 61h moves for Black

1 9 �h3 �f3 20 l:hgl ltJxf4 It is not possible to organise a de­ enl defence. For instance 20 . . . ltJe5 comes up against 2 1 ltJe6 ltJxe6 22 �xe6, intending -.d2--.f4-g3 with an impending mate.

trapping the queen. If 1 0 . . . ltJd4? then White has the strong answer 1 1 h5! and the attack continues. 1 1 .d2 ltJd4

21 "xf4

1 2 ltJd l ! ?

2 1 . . ....xc3?

In a hopeless position Black tries one last shot. He is hoping for 22 bxc3 ltJe2+ 23 'iitd2 li)xf4 24 J:txfJ ltJxh3 25 :'xh3 when he survives. 22 l:tg8+! 1 -0

The problem with directly repeating the attacking method outlined in the chapter 6 �e3 e6 is that Black has an extra move, having played his pawn to e5 in one go. This addition to Black 's defensive shell is very useful because the light-squared bishop can be quickly activated, usually on the g4 square. Strijbos-Va n der Wiel

Vlissingen 1 998

1 e4 cS 2 ltJc3 ltJc6 3 g3 g6 4 �g2 �g7 S d3 d6 6 .te3 eS 7 "d2 ltJge7 8 �h6 0-0 9 h4 �xh6 1 0 -.xh6 f6

Of course, the idea is 1 1 h5? g5, intending . . . �h8 and . . . ltJg8

This is hardly in keeping with the spirit of an all-out attack but it is understandable in view of the desire to get rid of the centralised knight on d4. The difference with lines associated with 6 �e3 e6 is that now the normal continuation 1 2 ltJge2 comes under fire from 1 2 . . . �g4! 1 3 0-0-0 b5 1 4 l:tde l ( 1 4 ltJxd4! is the best choice although 1 4 . . . cxd4 1 5 ltJe2 l:c8 is slightly better for Black) 1 4 . . . b4 when the pin on the d l -h5 diagonal proved fatal for White in Piay Garcia-DeI Rey, Orense 2000. Alternatively, after 1 2 h5 g5, it is difficult to find a breakthrough for White after 1 3 f4 h6! 1 4 f5 (otherwise 1 4 0-0 allows 14 . . . �g4 and Black is fine) 1 4 . . . b5 1 5 ltJd 1 b4 gives Black good chances of making progress on the queenside. 1 2 . . .fS!

To meet 1 3 h5 with 1 3 . . . f4, cuting ofT the white queen from its intended invasion of the kingside via h6. 1 3 c3 ltJe6 14 exfS gxfS I S ltJe3

1 5 f4 might be worth considering when 1 5 . . . exf4 1 6 gxf4 ltJg6 1 7

6 �e3 e5 and other 6th

III O \ '/'S

IUI

/il, /, A

,I ')

li'Ie2 'fie7 1 8 liJe3 liJgxf4 1 9 liJxt� tnxf4 20 0-0-0 �h8 is rightly considered good for Black by Van der Wiel. However, 1 7 �f2 is possible, with the idea of 1 8 hS, when 1 7 . . . liJxh4?! 18 liJe3 liJxg2 1 9 liJe3 liJxg2 20 l:tag I offers decent compensation for the pawn.

2 5 �g2 l:tg8 2 6 'fifl l:t rx 2 7 'fic12 l:tg8 28 'fifl l:tf8 29 'fid2 'fift, \11 l:tcl !?

If 1 7 0-0-0, then White's tradi­ lional attack fails to materialise after 1 7 . . . liJxdS 1 8 �xdS liJc7 1 9 .tg2 .tg4 when it is Black who has the stronger position.

'ikxg3

1 5 . . . f4 1 6 liJd5 �h8 1 7 liJxe7

.

The pawn is poisoned. 11 10 �xb7?! �e2 ! , cutting ofr the whill' queen, then 3 1 'fie3 .tf) + 32 �h 1 lll c2 wins for Black. 30 . . . liJe2! 31 liJxe2 'fifl+ 32 � h l .i.xe2 33 .i.g2 l:tO! 34 'fie l

17 . . .'fixe7 18 .te4 liJc7

35 'fixe2 'fixh4+?

The threat is 1 9 . . . dS, forcing White's only actively placed piece to retreat.

1 9 c4 fxg3 20 fxg3 �g4 2 1 liJe2 liJe6 22 l:tfl !

22 O-O-O? is hopeless on account of 22 . . . l:tf2 23 l:tde I liJd4 when White must lose material . 2 2 . . . l:txfl+ 23 �xfl 'fig7 24 liJgl

liJd4

Van der Wiel is steadily improv­ ing his pieces ready for a kingside attack. 24 . . . l:tg8 is tempting because the obvious 2S �g2 is crushed by 2S . . . �h3+ but the more sedate 2S l:te l , intending 26 l:te3, allows White to continue the dour defensive struggle .

The final piece in the puzzle is not grasped and the game soon ends in repetition. Van der Wiel 's analysis reveals the right way to win : 3S . . . l:tf2! 36 'fie4 l:tf4 37 'fie2 (37 'fie l l:txh4+ 38 �g l 'ikh2+ 39 �f2 l:tf4+ decides) 37 . . .l:txh4+ 38 �g l 'ikh2+ 39 �f2 (39 'it>f1 'fif4 t ) 39 . . . l:tf4+ 4 0 'it>e3 'ikh6! (the king­ hunt continues) 4 1 l:th l l:t0+! 42 �e4 dS+ ! 43 �xdS 'ikc6+ 44 �xeS 'fif6+ 4S �dS l:tfS+ 46 �e4 l:tcs mate. 36 �gl 'fid4+ 37 �h l 'i'h4+ 38 'ii'g l 'fid4+ 39 � h l 'fih4+ Yl-Yl.

A rapid . . . b7-bS is explored in Ihe next encounter in which White responds positively with 7 cS. A number of lesser known sixlh move alternatives are also examined.

50 6 �e3 e5 and other 6th moves for Black Giorgadze-Verduga

Linares 1 999

I e4 cS 2 �c3 g6 3 g3 �g7 4 �g2 �c6 S d3 d6 6 �e3 bS

An energetic move that has been played a number of times. Though it saves time on a preparatory . . . l:tb8. it is asking for trouble with the bishop on g2 bearing down on the h l -a8 diagonal. Black has also tried other ideas: a) 6 . . . a6 7 'tid2 �d7 8 f4 bS 9 lDn b4 1 0 �d l �f6 1 I h3 (White prepares to advance his kingside pawns) 1 1 . . . 0-0 1 2 g4 e6 1 3 0-0 �e8 1 4 d4 cxd4 I S �xd4 �xd4 1 6 �xd4 e S 1 7 fxeS dxeS 1 8 �cS with a material advantage, Kislov­ Dukaczewski, Warsaw 1 993. b) 6 . . . hS 7 h3 (the idea is to meet 7 . . . h4 with 8 g4) 7 . . . eS 8 tDds i.e6 9 �e2 �xdS 1 0 exdS �ce7 1 1 c3 �fS 1 2 �d2 �h6 1 3 0-0 �ge7 14 �xh6 lhh6?! (Black gives up the right to castle although 14 . . . lLlxh6 I S d4 is better for White) I S d4 cxd4 1 6 cxd4 exd4 1 7 �xd4 1fb6 1 8 �xfS �xfS 1 9 'tic I l:th8 20 'tic3 l:tg8 2 1 l:lfe l + �ffl 22 l:te4 'tid8 23 l:tc l when Black's lack of co-ordination gave White the advantage in Golubovic-Lukov, Marostica 1 993. c) 6 . . . �h6 and now:

c l ) 7 f3 ! ? (an unusual way to stop . . . �g4 but it works in this game) 7 . . . fS 8 'tid2 �f7 9 �ge2 fxe4 1 0 fxe4 �d4 1 I 0-0 0-0 1 2 l:tab l a s 1 3 h3 �d7 1 4 �dS �xe2+ I S 'tixe2 e6 1 6 �f4 bS �-� Boyd-P.Popovic. French Team Ch 2000. c2) 7 h3 fS 8 "'d2 �t7 9 �ge2 0-0 1 0 exfS gxfS I 1 �f� e6 1 2 �hS �d4 1 3 t� �h8 14 0-0-0 (in this l ine White often castles queenside in an endeavour to exploit Black's ad­ vanced kingside pawns) 14 . . .�g6 I S �e2 �h8 16 d4 with an edge, Zichichi-Gligoric, Venice 1 97 1 . d) 6 . . . b6, when play might continue: d l ) 7 f4 �b7 8 ltJf3 'tid7 9 0-0 �h6?! (9 . . . e6, intending . . .liJge7, is a better idea) 1 0 h3 fS 1 1 Wfd2 0-0-0 ( 1 1 . . . 0-0 1 2 l:tae l with a sl ight edge) 1 2 l:tad l ! ? e6 (or 1 2 . . .�f7 1 3 d4 cxd4 14 �xd4 �xd4 I S �xd4 eS 1 6 �e3 gives White the better chances) 1 3 l:tfe I l:the8 ( 1 3 . . . dS, to fork the pieces on c3 and e3, is met by 1 4 exdS exdS I S d4 with the better chances for White) 1 4 �fl �f7 I S a3 ! ? (the plan is to start queenside play with b2-b4) I S . . . eS 16 �dS lDd4?! ( 1 6 . . . exf4 17 gxf4 fxe4 { 1 7 . . . �xb2? 1 8 c3 wins} 1 8 dxe4 gS 1 9 fxgS l:tg8 ! ? 20 b4 is also better for White) 1 7 �xd4 exd4 1 8 exfS ! i.xdS 1 9 �xdS 'tixfS 2 0 i.g2! ? and the dominating bishop gave White pretty good chances in Giorgadze­ H.Olafsson, Moscow Olympiad 1 994. d2) 7 �ge2 i.b7 8 .-d2 �d4 9 0-0 'tid7 1 0 a4 f5 1 1 l:tae l fxe4 1 2 �xd4 cxd4 1 3 �xe4 eS ( 1 3 . . . dS 1 4 �gS, intending �f4, with advan­ tage since 1 4 . . . h6 fails to I S �h3 ! and a strong knight will be installed on e6) 14 lLlxd6+! 'tixd6 I S �xb7 l:tb8 16 �a6 �e7 1 7 �bS+ �d8 1 8

6 �e3 e5 and other 6th moves/or Black d and the exposed black king and pawn minus leaves Black 's position III ruins, J .Houska-Stojanovic, Aviles 2000. 7 eS!

This is the reason why 6 . . . b5 has never had popular appeal. White is now presented with an instant initiative.

5J

25 l:the 1 1;g7 26 �e5 gave White a clear advantage in Romanishin­ Torre, Indonesia 1 983. b) 7 . . . �b7?! 8 exd6 exd6 9 ttJxb5 ttJgc 7 1 0 ttJc3 ( 1 0 ttJe2 is a sugges­ tion by Miles when 1 0 . . . �xb2 1 1 l:tb I �g7 1 2 ttJxd6+! "xd6 1 3 l:txb7 gives White a clear advan­ tage) 1 0 . . . 'Wb6 1 1 ':b 1 ttJe5 1 2 ttJf3 ? (or 1 2 �xb7 'Wxb7 1 3 ttJe4 0-0 1 4 f4 ttJc4 1 5 'Wf3 d5 1 6 ttJxc5 'Wb4+ 1 7 1;f] d4 and Black has good play) 1 2 . . .ttJxf3+ 1 3 i.xf3 �xc3+ 1 4 bxc3 �xf3 1 5 "xf3 "xb 1 + 1 6 'it>d2 'irb8 1 7 ':b l "d8 1 8 �g5 f6 1 9 �xf6 0-0 20 ':b7 ':c8 2 1 ':xa7 ':c7 22 �a6 "d7 23 g4 "e6 24 g5 ttJd5 25 'Wg3 ':e8 0- 1 Lj ubojevic-Miles, London 1 982. 8 exd6 exd6 9 ttJge2 ttJge7 10 ttJxbS ttJrs

7 . . . �d7

a) 7 . . . 'Wd7 8 exd6 exd6 9 ttJge2 (9 .1f4 was recommended in III/orm£ltor 3 7 with the sample line 9 . . . ttJge7 1 0 ttJxb5. But Black can do better than the 1 0 . . . O-O?! 1 1 ttJxd6 of Lebredo-Hemandez, Baya­ !nO 1 984 with a more likely sequel being 1 0 . . . ttJf5 ! 1 1 c3 0-0 1 2 'Wd2 .1b7 1 3 ttJe2 ttJe5 ! 'winning) 9 . . . ttJge7 (9 . . . b4 1 0 ttJd5 �xb2 1 1 ':b I .ig7 1 2 0-0 �b7 1 3 c3 and, according to Romanishin, White has adequate compensation for the pawn) 1 0 d4 b4 1 1 ttJe4 0-0 1 2 �h6 c4?! ( 1 2 . . . .1a6 1 3 �xg7 1;xg7 1 4 d5 ttJe5 1 5 0-0 �c4 1 6 ':e 1 �xd5 ( 1 6 . . . ttJxd5 1 7 ttJd2 is better for White) 1 7 ttJf4 �xe4 1 8 �xe4 ':ad8 1 9 a3) 13 �xg7 1;xg7 14 d5 ttJe5 15 t� ttJg4 1 6 h3 ttJh6 1 7 g4 f5 1 8 "d4+ �g8 1 9 ttJf6+ ':xf6 20 "xf6 fxg4 2 1 'We6+! (White has a material advantage and is happy to enter the ending) 2 1 . . .'ii'xe6 22 dxe6 d5 23 ttJd4 ':b8 24 0-0-0 ':b6

1 1 �c1 The bishop retreats, covering b2 and thereby maintaining White's pawn advantage. 11 h5 12 0-0 h4 13 ':e l c.t>f8 1 3 . . . 0-0 would remove the potentially attacking rook from the h-file and leave White much better after 1 4 g4. 14 �r4 hxg3 I S hxg3 g5 1 6 . . .

ttJxd6

Giorgadze is spoilt for choice: 1 6 i.xd6+ is also good when 16 . . . ttJxd6 1 7 ttJxd6 ':b8 1 8 c3

52 6 .ie3 e5 and other 6th movesj(;r Black :xb2 1 9 �c l :b6 20 �e3 is in White's favour thanks to the extra pawn and weakness of c5.

1 6 ... gxf4 17 tDxfS .i.xfS 18 �xc6 .i.g4

24 . . . �xg3+-but it is not good enough.

24 �f4 lth6 25 tDf5 .i.xfS 26 ..-xh4 :xh4 27 c3 ng4+ 28 .i.g2 .i.f6 29 lte3 .i.g6 1-0.

S ummary

1 9 �d2

I think White can adequately de­ fend the position, mainly because it is difficult for Black to make much impression along the h-file-unless of course White blunders with 1 9 .i.xa8?? when 1 9:. . �xa8 mates due to the indefensible weakness of the light squares around the castled king. 19 . . ...c8

Or 19 . . Jk8 20 .i.g2 fxg3 (2 1 . . . f3 is well met by 22 "f4 1 ) 2 1 tDxg3 .i.xb2 22 :ab I .i.g7 23 :b7 and White has the stronger position. 20 .i.d5 "d8 21 .ig2 fxg3

2 1 . . . f3 forks two pieces but 22 �t� saves the day since 22 . . . fxg2 23 'ti'xg4 is good for White. 22 tDxg3 Wh4 23 .i.xa8 i.d4

A last ditch attempt to salvage something by the threat of

Black often installs a knight on d4 early in the game and AI.Karpov­ Kallai demonstrates that White can employ the positional nuance 8 ttJce2 to gain the upper hand. Orlov-Rago is a sign that prior knowledge of the attacking set-up outl ined in the chapter 6 .i.e3 e6 can work wonders if Black goes astray. It should be observed that this game features a note on 8 f4, which transposes to the 6 f4 e5 chapter. The problem with adopting a direct attacking scheme against 6 . . . e5 is highlighted by the game, Strijbos­ Van der Wiel, where the possibility of . . . .i.g4 prompted the meek 1 2 tDd l after which Black soon gained a superior position. Finally, Giorgadze-Verduga is an example of 6 . . . b5, which enjoyed a bout of popularity in the 1 980s. A more recent example spells doom and gloom for Black after the correct 7 e5, enabling White to seize the initiative. None of the alternatives on move six, examined in that game, are particularly encouraging for Black.

5

5

...

e6 6 i..e 3

The importance of move-order is sometimes a neglected subject in standard reference books but in the g8 1 9 ttJxd5 1 -0 Parkanyi­ Barabas, Miskolc Avas 1 999. 1 0 0-0-0

White whisks the king to safety and makes way for the queen 's rook to join in the attack. Of course, 1 0 h5? is a blunder on account of 1 0 ... .i.xh6 1 1 'ir'xh6 g5 ! , intending . . .�h8 and . . . liJg8 to win the trapped queen. 10 ...e5 I I .i.xg7 �J.g7 1 2 f4 h6 13 rs liJd4

A cautious move that allows White to carry on with the kingside attack. It might seem odd to expose the black king but 1 3 ... gxfS is

The finale sees White achieving his principal aim of creating a winning attack on the h-file. 1 9 :n 20 "'h2 Now the queen prepares to use the h-fiIe to invade Black's defence. ...

20...liJg8 2 1 :h8 1-0

Summary Smyslov-Denker is a timeless example of how to exploit 6 ...liJd4 by precise play. A number of alter­ native suggestions are available for Black but White should emerge with the better chances. Knowledge of the attacking plan given in the 6 .i.e3 e6 chapter is clearly a big help in White 's quick success in Bachin­ Shovunov. It is another reminder of how White can find and carry out a middlegame plan even when faced. with a slightly offbeat variation.

6

Main Line 6 f4 e6

The main line with 6 t:t has en­ joyed considerable success over the years. White's basic plan is to attack with a kingside pawn advance and then use his space advantage to transfer his pieces to superior outposts. Black usually stops an early d3-d4 by occupying the d4 square with a knight. In the 1 980s a great surge of interest in the line was generated by the pseudo­ sacrifice 1 0 e5-and the changing assessments of this variation are a feature of this chapter. Of course, there is a large amount of theory associated with the main line so I have taken steps to try and make things clearer by presenting an overview of what is going on in the fashionable lines. Finally, I take a look at some of White's alternatives if 1 0 e5 is rejected and also find room to mention what White should do if Black chooses not to play the standard 9. . . tOd4. Dovramadjiev-Semkov

Bulgarian Ch 1 996

1 e4 c5 2 tOc3 tOc6 3 g3 g6 4 .lg2 i.g7 5 d3 d6 6 f4

The obvious difference from the new main line is that White is not relying on exchanging dark-squared bishops to aid the attack. Instead, White generally aims for an attack based on pushing his kingside pawns.

6 ...e6

The popular way of handling the line is to develop the king's knight to e7 and castle kingside. The main alternatives, 6 ... e5 and 6 ...tOf6, are considered in separate chapters but there is stil l a chance for Black to play lesser known alternatives: a) 6 . . .f5 7 tOo tOf6 8 0-0 0-0 9 �h l .id7?! (I think Black should follow White's example and play 9 . . .'�h8 to make room for the bishop when it is developed to e6) 1 0 .le3 l:tb8 I I "'e2 ! (here rather than d2 because, with the black pawn on f5, the c l -h6 diagonal is closed and on e2 the queen is well placed to create pressure on the e­ file after a capture on f5) I I . . b5 1 2 .l g I b4 1 3 tOd I tOe8 1 4 c3 (White covers the d4 square and prepares to move the queen's knight) 14 ...tOc7 1 5 l:c l tOe6 16 tOe3 (the knight moves to co-ordinate the rooks and exert influence on d5 and f5) 1 6 ... "'a5 1 7 exf5 gxf5 1 8 tOh4 tOed8 1 9 g4 (this is why White .

Main Line 6 /4

exchanged on f)-to facilitate an opening of the position) 1 9 ... fxg4 20 f5 ! (White cuts the bishop otT from its protection of g4 and pre­ �lIres �d5+) 20 . . . 4Je5 2 1 4Jxg4 l7'lxg4 22 "xg4 4Jt7 23 .id5 Wa6 24 l:tc2 and White prepares to swing the rook across to the g-file with an excellent attack that led to victory in Smyslov-Larsen, Munich Olympiad 1 958. b) 6 ...4Jh6 7 4Jf3 �g4 8 h3 �xf3 I) "xf3 4Jd4 \0 "f:Z J:tb8 I I 0-0 b5 1 2 g4 (the kingside pawn advance highlights the lack of mobil ity of the knight stuck on h6) 1 2 . . . f6 1 3 .ie3 t;)c6 14 g5 4Jf7 1 5 e5 and the dis­ covered attack against the knight on c6 gave White a clear advantage, Freinhofer-Happala, Velden 1 993. c) 6 ... .ltd7 7 4Jf3 4Jd4 8 .ie3 lUxf3+ 9 "xf3 .ic6 I D 0-0 e6 I I "f2 4Jf6 1 2 h3 4Jd7 1 3 g4 (as usual, White is quick to start a king­ side p awn storm) 1 3 ... e5 1 4 1'5 g5 . 1 5 "d2 h6 1 6 4Je2 (the knight is heading for h5 now that Black has compromised his pawn structure) 16 ... i.f6 1 7 4Jg3 "c7 1 8 4Jh5 0-0-0 1 9 a4 �b8 20 b4 b6 2 1 a5 :hg8 22 :tb I .ie7 23 axb6 axb6 24 c4 gave White a · winning advantage in Dizdarevic-Schneider, Mainz 1 995. d) 6 ... :b8 7 4Jf3 b5 8 0-0 b4 9 lUe2 (9 4Jd5 is also possible) 9 ...4Jd4 I D a3 4Jxf3+ I I .ixf3 a5 1 2 axb4 axb4 and now, instead of 13 g4 which occurred in Donev-Gallagher, Lenk 1 99 1 , Donev suggests 1 3 d4! cxd4 1 4 liJxd4, intending .ie3 with a n edge. 7 4Jf3 4Jge7 8 0-0 0-0 9 .i e3 White continues with his develop­ ment and prepares the possibility of d3-d4. A number of alternatives are discussed in the next main game. 9 4Jd4 ...

e6

59

The knight comes to d4 to block the possible advance d3-d4. The al­ ternative 9 . . . b6 is discussed in the main game Donev-ZelJer. 10 e5

This is the move that has renewed interest in the line. The idea is that White wiIJ strive to open diagonals for his bishops, weaken the c5 pawn, vacate the e4 square for the queen's knight and generate attacking chances by opening the f-file after Black captures on e5. 1 0 4Jef5 1 0 . . .dxe5 is rarely played, probably because Black wants to main­ tain the tension. Bhat-Lobo, San Francisco 1 999, continued I I 4Jxe5 0-0 1 2 4Je4 b6 1 3 c3 4Jdf5 14 .if2 .ib7 ( l 4 ... i.a6?! 1 5 "a4! .ixd3 1 6 4Jxd3 Wxd3 1 7 :ad l .e2 1 8 :d2 'ifh5 1 9 h3 and the black queen is trapped; 1 4 . . ...c7 is met by 1 5 .a4) 1 5 "a4 it; 1 6 4Jd7 b5 1 7 .xa7 4Jc6 1 8 'iWb6 .xd7 1 9 4Jxc5 "d8 20 "xb5 liJcd4 2 1 4Jxb7 4Jxb5 22 4Jxd8 (White has three pawns for a piece but Black puts up little resis­ tance) 22 . . ..:.fxd8 23 a4 4Jc7 24 a5 4Ja6 25 b4 l:txd3 26 l:tab I l:txc3 27 b5 4Jc5 28 a6 } -O. 1 1 .if2 4Jxf3+ Black exchanges on f3 to elimin­ ate the defender of the e5 pawn. Lesser known alternatives are: ...

60

Muill

Line 6/4 e6

a) I I .. .dxe5?f 12 ltJxe5 ( if White gets the chance he takes back on e5 with the knight) 1 2 .. .'ii'c7 1 3 ltJe4 1'6 1 4 ltJc4 c5? ! 1 5 fxe5 fxe5 1 6 g4 ltJe7 1 7 .Jixd4 exd4 1 8 lhfS+ �xf8 1 9 'ii'f3 t �g8 20 ltJf6+ 1 -0 San Segundo-Frois, Linares 1 995. b) I l ...d5?! (this does not serious­ ly test White's idea and the block­ ade in the centre reduces the efl"ectiveness of the bishop on g7) 1 2 ltJxd4 ltJxd4 (it should be noted that this position can also be re­ ached after I 1 ...ltJxf3+ 1 2 'ii'x f3 ltJd4 13 .d l d5) 1 3 ltJa4 b6 14 b4! ( 1 4 c3 has also been tested but the text is the most irritating for Black because the pawn on c5 is under­ mined) 14 ... .id7 1 5 bxc5 ( it is nor­ mal for White take the material but 1 5 c4 is also worth investigating) 1 5 ... i.xa4 1 6 .ixd4 llc8 1 7 cxb6 llxc2 1 8 "b l axb6 1 9 .ixb6! "a8 20 :f2 gave White the advantage in Hansen-Grand, Aarhus 1 994. c) I 1 . . .l:tb8 12 ltJe4 ltJxf3+ ( 1 2 ... b6, to lend support to c5, is met by 1 3 ltJxd4 ! cxd4 14 g4 with White enjoying the better chances) 1 3 "xf3 dxe5 14 .ixc5 ltJd4 1 5 "ii' f2 f5 (this has been played a tew times but White will emerge on top) 16 .ixf8 "ii'xfS 1 7 fxe5 i.xe5 ( I 7 ... fxe4 1 8 "ii'xd4 wins) 1 8 c3 ltJc6 19 d4 .ic7 20 �h I b6 2 1 ltJg5 with a winning advantage, Van Wissen-R6der, Leeuwarden 1 993. d) I l .. ..id7 12 ltJe4 transposes to the main game Short-Rechlis. 12 "ii'x o dxe5? !

Black allows White to activate his dark-squared bishop and conveni­ ently open the f-tile for the queen and rook. 1 2 ...ltJd4 is considered the main line, although 1 2 ... .id7 trans­ poses to the main game via the move-order 1 0 e5 .id7. 13 .ixc5 AeS

Black is in trouble and an attempt to create counterplay by sacrificing the exchange with 1 3 ... exf4 did not improve matters in Hansen-Wil­ lumsen, Aarhus 1 989. That game went 14 .JixfS .id4+ 1 5 �h I "xfS 1 6 "xf4 e5 1 7 "d2 ltJe3 1 8 .id5 ! .ig4 (if 1 8 ... ltJxfl then White targets fl with 19 Axfl .ifS 20 g4) 19 lhfl "ii'c 5 20 .Jib3 :fS 2 1 "f2 ltJd5 22 AxfS+ 1 -0.

14 fxe5 .ixe5 1 5 Aael .id4+ 16 .ixd4 "xd4+ 17 �hl h5 I S ltJd5!

The big threat is ltJc7 to fork the rooks. Black's lack of development gives Whit!! pretty good tactical chances. I S .id7? .•.

A misguided attempt to generate activity by sacriticing the exchange. 1 8 ... Ad8 is an improvement for Black, although 1 9 ltJe7+ �g7 ( 1 9 ...ltJxe7? 20 "ii'x t7+ wins) 20 b3 still leaves White with an edge. 19 ltJc7 .ic6 20 "ii'f2 "ii'x b2 2 1 .ixc6 bxc6 2 2 ltJxeS lheS 23 c4

White is happy to offer Black the chance to enter a better ending. 23 .....b7 24 Abl "ii'd 7 25 'iWO AdS 26 Afd l c5 1-0

The advance of the white e-pawn also makes room for the queen 's knight on e4.

Main Line 6 /4 e6 6 1 A.Martin-Britton

Barnsdale 1 989

I e4 cS 2 lDc3 lDc6 3 g3 g6 4 .lk.�2 �g7 S d3 d6 6 f4 e6 7 lDO fi\e7 8 0-0 0-0

Martin used an interesting move­ Older to reach this position because the original sequence was I e4 c5 2 �ic3 d6 3 f4 g6 4 lDf3 �g7 5 g3 tik6 6 �g2 e6 7 0-0 lDge7 8 d3 0-0.

9 �e3 There are plenty of alternatives available for White but they have lililed to make much of an IlIlpression. For instance: a) 9 �d2 lIb8 (against an unusual set-up Black advances the queenside pawns) 1 0 :tb l b5 I I a3 "d7! 1 2 '�h l (if 1 2 b4 then 1 2 . . .lDd4=) 12 ...a5 1 3 a4 b4 14 lDb5 lDa7 1 5 Ci'Jxa7 'ii'x a7 1 6 �e3 (perhaps 1 6 h3 ! ? should be considered) 16. . .d5 1 7 e5 d4 1 8 �d2 ( 1 8 �f2 is also met by 1 8 ... b3 1 9 cxb3 �a6 intend­ Ing ...'ii' b6 and ...'ii'x b3) 1 8 . . . b3 1 9 cxb3 �a6 2 0 'ii'c 2 (20 �xa5? runs into 20 ...1Od5 when 2 1 �d2 fails to 2 1 .. .�xd3) 20 ... 'ii' b6 2 1 :tfc l :tfc8 22 lDe I ltJd5 23 �e4 �f8! gave Black the advantage in Spassky­ l Polgar, Monaco 1 994. b) 9 a3 (apparently a cautious measure against ... b7-b5-b4 but in fact preparation for b2-b4 to exert pressure on the queens id e) 9 ...�d7

1 0 :b I :c8 1 1 �d2 lDd4 1 2 lDe2 (Black prevents 1 2 b4? because 12" .cxb4 1 3 axb4 lDxf3+ 14 �xf3 �xc3 wins) 1 2".�a4 1 3 b3 �c6 1 4 c 4 lDxf3+ 1 5 .ixf3 d 5 1 6 �e3 d4 1 7 �d2 .d7 1 8 g4 f5 1 9 lDg3 when White has play on both sides of the board, Spassky-Geller, Candidates match, Suhumi 1 968. c) 9 lDe2 (this prepares the ad­ vance d3-d4, while the knight can later be transferred to g3 after g3-g4) 9" .lIb8 1 0 c3 b5 1 1 d4 b4 1 2 �e3 bxc3 1 3 bxc3 i.. a 6� ( Alack undermines the defence of d4) 1 4 :e I :b2 1 5 lDc I cxd4 1 6 i.xd4 lDxd4 1 7 cxd4 'iWb6 gave Black the better chances in Bigot-Breyther, Germany Team Ch 1 995. d) 9 g4 fS! (the pawn blockades the advance f4-f�) 1 0 gxfS exf5 I I lDe2 'ii'd7 1 2 c3 b6 1 3 lDg3 �b7 1 4 �h3 :tae8 1 5 �e3 with equal chances, Kosanski-Videki, Croatian Team Ch 1 999. e) 9 lLlh4 1Od4 1 0 lLle2 :tb8 1 I c3 lDxe2+ 1 2 'ii'x e2 b5 1 3 a3 a5 1 4 �d2 �d7 1 5 g 4 f5 (Black spots the forthcoming f4-fS and stops it) 1 6 :tae I b 4 when J prefer Black, Pritchard-P.Lee, British Ch 1 975. 9 lDd4 10 e5 lDefS 1 1 �f2 lDxo+ 12 'ii' x o lDd4 .••

The knight is handily placed on d4 to block the g l -a7 diagonal and knock the queen off the f-file.

1 3 "d l lI bS ! nutural move that allows White to explore the attacking potential of the position . 1 3 . . .dxe5 is considered the main line and discussed in the next game. Other moves: a) 1 3 ...d5 transposes into note 'b' atler Black's eleventh move in the game Dovramadjiev-Semkov. b) 1 3 ... f5? ! 14 exf6 "xf6 1 5 ltJe4 "e7 1 6 c3 ltJc6 1 7 "d2 e5 1 8 lIae l exf4 1 9 gxt� "c7 20 ltJg5 lDd8 (Black has a rather passive game with a donnant queenside) 2 1 d4 h6 22 dxc5 dxc5 (22 . . . hxg5 allows 23 cxd6 'i'd7 24 lIe7 and White wins) 23 'i'd5-t �h8 24 .i.xc5 hxg5 25 .i.xfS .i.xfS 26 Ae8 ltJe6 27 f5 gxf5 28 'ii' x f5 ..g7 1 -0 Bagirov­ Rantanen, Kuopio 1 995. '

1\

14 ltJe4!

White) 1 9 ltJf6+ �h8 20 "c l ! (the weak dark-squares around the black king allow White to invade and destroy) 20 ...�g7 2 1 .i.h4 "a5 22 ltJe8+ 1 -0. 1 6 .i.xcs

The error of 1 3 . . .lIb8 is clear because the pawn on a7 is under threat as well as the rook on fS, which gains time for White and helps to win a pawn. 16 lIe8 17 fxes b6 ••.

If 1 7 ... .i.xe5 then 1 8 i.xa7 lIa8 1 9 .i.f2 also gives White an extra pawn.

1 8 .i.d6 lIb7 19 'i'e2 lId7 20 d4

i.b7 21 .i.a3 "c8 22 g4 .i.a6 23 'ii'f2 White is content to give up the exchange because his opponent will have to move the king's knight, allowing ltJd6 or 'lli'x f7+. 23 i. xn 24 lIxn •..

A key idea in this line is to bring the knight to e4 where it can exert a great deal of int1uence. 14 ...dxes I S c3 ltJrs

Once Black drifts into this position it is difficult to retrieve the situation, judging by the game Borlange Stromberg-Sunehag, 1 995. when Black sacrificed a piece for some pawns with 1 5 ... ext�?! but came under a fierce attack. There followed 1 6 cxd4 fxg3 1 7 .i.xg3 i.xd4 t 1 8 �h l e5 (or 1 8 ...lIa8 1 9 .idfl lieS 20 i.xc5 is good for

24 ...ltJe7 1 -0

The loose pawn on e5 is taken in the next game, which is considered to be the main line featuring 1 6 . . ...c7. Stjazhkina-Polovodin

St Petersburg 1 999

1 e4 cS 2 ltJc3 ltJc6 3 g3 g6 4 .Jtg2 .i.g7 5 d3 d6 6 f4 e6 7 ltJf3 ltJge7 8 0-0 0-0 9 i.e3 ltJd4 1 0 es

Main Line 6 J4 e6 63 fi lerS 1 1 i.f2 tUxf3+ 1 2 Wxf3 tUd4 L 1 'Wd l dxeS 14 fxeS

14...�xeS!

Judging by results, this has emerged as the best choice for Black. There is also plenty of room for Black to go wrong: a) 1 4 . . . �d7?! 1 5 tUe4 ( 1 5 �xb7?! l:tb8 16 �g2 1::tx b2 is fine for Slack) 1 5 . . .�xe5 1 6 c3 tUf5 1 7 �xc5 l:te8 1 8 d4 �g7 19 .0 �c6 20 g4 .i.xe4 (20 ... tUh6!? must be con­ sidered) 2 1 .xe4 tUh4? 22 .xb7 liJxg2 (or 22 ... l:tb8 23 .xf7+ 'iPh8 24 �c6 wins) 23 l:txf7 �h6 24 l:txh7 1 -0 Nordhaug-Sheldon, World Junior Ch Guarapuava 1 995. b) 1 4 . . .l:tb8?! I S ttJe4 b6 1 6 tLJf6+! �xf6 ( 1 6 ...�h8 1 7 c3 lDf5 18 g4 lDe7 1 9 .0 lDdS 20 gS gives White a strong attack) 1 7 exf6 (now the dark-squares around the king are a long-tenn liability) b l ) 1 7 .. .'ii'x f6 1 8 c3 lDf5 1 9 g4 tLJd6 20 �xcS .e7 2 1 �d4 gave White an edge in Logdahl-Rajlich, Budapest 2000. b2) 1 7 . . . �b7 1 8 �xb7 l:txb7 1 9 c3 lDf5 20 g4 tt:Jd6 20 .0 with the better chances in Korotonozhkin­ VasiJchenko, Voronezh 1 997. I S lDe4 fS Polovodin follows the fashion of ousting the knight from e4 other­ wise White will play c2-c3 and take on c5 with bishop. Other moves:

a) I S . . .c4?! (this move has been enthusiastically supported by com­ mentators but I can only assume that is because they want to play the White side of the line ! ) 1 6 c3 tUfS 1 7 dxc4 .c7 1 8 .e2 with the better game. b) I S ...lDfS 1 6 c3 ( 1 6 �xcS? runs into 1 6... �xb2 when 1 7 l:tb 1 �d4+ is to Black' s advantage) 1 6... c4?! transposes to the previous note. c) I S ... l:tb8?! (this transposes to the line mentioned after move 1 7 in the main game A.Martin-Sritton) 1 6 c3 lDfS 1 7 �xcS l:te8 1 8 �xa7 l:ta8 1 9 �f2 left White with an extra pawn in Smolak-Winter, Warsaw 200 1 . 1 6 lDxcs

1 6•.••c7 The queen attacks the knight. The alternative 16 .. .'ii'd6 is discussed in the next game. Koch-Lautier, Besanyon 1 999, saw 1 6. . . f4 ! ? to immediately put pressure on the kingside. There followed: 1 7 c3 ( 1 7 gxf4 �xf4 1 8 lDe4 is another poss­ ibility offering equal chances) 1 7 . . o 1 8 cxd4 ( 1 8 �h3?! is made to look poor after 1 8 ... lDe2+ 1 9 'iP h l .g5 2 0 Wa4 .h6 2 1 Wh4 Wxh4 22 gxh4 lDf4 which gave Black the superior ending in Rogulj-Ljubicic, Makarska Tucepi 1 995) 1 8 ... fxg2 1 9 'iPxg2 �xd4 20 �xd4 ! ? l:txfl 2 1 .xfl .xd4 22 .f2 .xf2+ (or .

64 Main Line 6 /4 e6 22 ... e5 23 'ir'xd4 exd4 24 tOb3 i. f5 25 tOxd4 bxd3 26 ':d I) 23 �xf2 b6 24 tOe4 i.. a6 25 �e3 =

17 b4 f4!?

An adventurous idea to tl)' and expose the white king to attack. Others: a) I 7 . . .1:b8?! 1 8 c3 tOb5 1 9 d4 i.g7 ( 1 9 . . . tOxc3 ? loses quickly to 20 'ir'e I when White will win a piece) 20 'ir'b3 �h8 2 1 a4 ttJd6 22 %lae 1 gave White the advantage in Kovacevic-Bogic, PuJa 1 990. b) I7 . . . tOc6?! (this move is far less effective with the queen on c7, compared to d6 as in the next main game) 1 8 d4 i.g.7 1 9 c3 b6 1 9 'ir'f3 ! bxc5 20 'ir'xc6 'ifxc6 2 1 i.xc6 :b8 22 bxc5 left White a pawn up in M ason-S.Ledger, British Ch 1 999. c) 1 7 ... i.g7 (the best of the bunch) 1 8 c3 tOb5 1 9 'iWb3 ! (now that the bishop is on g7, 19 d4 can be met with 1 9 ... tOxc3) 19 ... tOxc3 20 :ae I 'ir'f7 2 1 tOxe6 i.xe6 22 ::'xe6 a5! and Black drew despite White's useful pair of bishops, Balashov-Karpman, Moscow 1 989. 1 8 c3! ? tOrs

The alternative 18 ...tOb5 did not work out welI in Novitzky­ Korzubov, Minsk 1 998, when 19 d4 fxg3 20 hxg3 i.g7 2 1 'ir'd3 tOd6 22 l:lae I gave White strong pressure against the e6 pawn. 1 9 g4 0 If 1 9 ...tOe3 the exchanges favour White who has the better develop­ ment after 20 i.xe3 fxe3 2 1 %lxfS+ �xfS 22 'ir'f3+ �g8 23 Af1 i.xh2+ 24 �h 1 i..d6 25 tOe4. 20 i.xO i.xh2+ 21 �g2 tOg7 22 l:lhl i.f4 23 d4 i.d7 24 tOxd7

A safe choice although 24 i.xb7 is tempting when 24 ... i.c6+ 2 5 i.. xc6 'ifxc6+ 26 �g I gives Black some compensation for the pawn due (0 (he exposed white king.

24...'ir'xd7 2S 'ir'd3 eS? !

A n improvement i s 25 . . ..: f7 , to double rooks on the f-file, when 26 ':h3 ':afS 27 ':ah I tOe8 28 c4 gives White the brighter prospects.

26 'ir'c4+! ttJe6 27 dxeS i.xeS 28 i.dS

28...�g7?

It is worth considering 28 ... .:ae8.

29 i.xe6 :xf2+ 30 �xf2 'ir'd2+ 31 'ir'e2 %lf8+ 32 i.rs!

The bishop blocks the f-file and consequently stops the counter­ attack, leaving White with an easy win. 32 ...'ir'xc3 33 ':ael 'il'g3+

33 ... i.g3+ is no better after 34 �g2 i.xe I 35 'ir'e7+ ':f7 36 :xh7+! �xh7 37 'ir'xf7+ 'ir'g7 38 i.xg6+ �h8 39 'ir'e8+ 'ir'g8 40 'ir'xe I 'il'xg6 4 1 'ir'e5+ when White has all the winning chances. 34 �n i.d6 3S 'ir'e4 1 -0 The introduction of 1 0 i.. f2 is usualIy a prelude to a transposition to the 1 0 e5 line. In this case the main line with the 1 5 ...'ir'd6 variation is the centre of attention. Spassky-Hjartarson

French Team Ch 1 99 1 1 e4 cS 2 tOc3 tOc6 3 g3 g6 4 i.g2 i.g7 S d3 d6 6 f4 e6 7 tOo tOge7 8 0-0 0-0 9 i.e3 tOd4 1 0 i.f2

Maill 1./1//'

"

/4 /·r, (, '

c4 liJe7 25 liJf4 ;!; Spassky-( iukld. Wellington 1 988. 16 ... tt:lb5?! 17 a4 ! jtxa l I X "Iha l liJc7 1 9 liJxb7 jtxb7 20 jtxb7 :'ahK 2 1 jtc5 and White is better. 1 6 ... jtg7 1 7 a4 (preparing c2- d ) 1 7 . . J:tb8 1 8 c 3 liJc6 1 9 d4 .md I favour White. 17 :'bl jtd4!

A little nuance by Spassky who intends to transpose into 1 0 e5 posi­ tions, but, compared to the previous game, with one move saved on the scoresheet. 10 liJec6 1 1 liJxd4 liJxd4 1 2 eS dxeS 13 fxeS jtxeS 14 liJe4 fS I S ttJxcS 'ii'd 6 .•.

The most precise reply to achieve equality. A casual response hands White the initiative: a) 1 7 ... b6?! 1 8 liJb3 jtb7 19 d4 jtf6 20 c4 ! 'ii'x b4? 2 1 liJc5 wins. b) 1 7 ... :'b8 1 8 'We l !? i.g7 ( 1 8 . . .jtd4 19 i.xd4 'ii'xd4+ 20 'ii' f2 is slightly better for White) 1 9 liJb3 b6 20 c4 with ll.n edge, Radulovski­ Georg}ev, Stara Zagora 1 99 1 . 1 8 'ii'd 2 i. xf2+

Or 1 8 ... a5 ! ? 19 i.xc6 ( 1 9 a3?! axb4 20 axb4 1:I:a2 activates the black rook) 1 9 ... i.xf2+ ( 1 9 ... bxc6 20 c3 jtxf2+ 2 1 'ii'xf2 axb4 22 cxb4 e5 23 a4 jte6 24 liJxe6 "xe6 25 a5 'ii'd 5=) 20 'ii'x f2 bxc6 (if 20 .. ...xc6? then 2 1 b5 "d6 22 lDa4 jtd7 23 "c5 is better for White) 2 1 a3 e5 with equal chances. 19 'ii'x f2 :'bS 20 a3 b6 21 liJb3 i.b7 22 d4

The keeps the queen on the d-file and attacks the knight on d6. In this line White tends to have a slight edge but accurate defence should be enough to hold the position. 16 b4 liJc6!

I think this is the best available move for Black who should be able to avoid the various obstacles and end up with equality. Also possible: 16 ...:'b8?! 1 7 c3 liJb5 1 8 d4 jtf6 ( l 8 ...liJxc3? is losing upon 1 9 dxe5 'i'xd I 20 :'axd I liJxd I 2 1 :'xd I ) 1 9 'i'b3 b 6 20 liJd3 jtb7 2 1 jtxb7 :'xb7 22 a4 liJc7 23 :'fe l liJd5 24

22 liJdS! .••

Black prepares to exchulI�e bishops to reduce White's ChllllCCN of creating a plus. Instead. 22 . . . c 5 ? !

66 Main L ine 6 /4 e6 23 d5 Ci'Je7 24 c4 'ii' f6 25 l:tbd I is bell er for White because the passed pawn inhibits Black's light-squared bishop. 23 c4 lDf7 24 i.xb7 l:txb7 25 'ii'e3 e5 26 dxe5 1/z_I/z. Black is always searching for ways to avoid the well-analysed lines and a relatively new idea is 1 0 . . . i.d7 . Short-Rechlls

Ohrid 200 1

I e4 c5 2 Ci'Jc3 Ci'Jc6 3 g3 g6 4 i.g2 i.g7 5 d3 d6 6 f4 e6 7 Ci'Jo Ci'Jge7 8 0-0 0-0 9 i.e3 Ci'Jd4 1 0 e5 i.d7

A stunning response because it seems that Black is voluntarily con­ ceding a pawn on d4 . I I ttJe4

The obvious 1 1 Ci'Jxd4 cxd4 1 2 i.xd4 dxe5 is an important position when 1 3 �xe5? fails to 1 3 . . .'ii'b6+ 14 �h I f6 winning a piece. However, 1 3 fxe5 i.c6 1 4 i.f2 i.xg2 1 5 'ittxg2 i.xe5 1 6 d4 i.g7 1 7 'ii'o Ci'Jd5 1 8 ttJe4 l:tc8 1 9 c3 offered equal chances in the game, Turner­ Dunnington, Hafnarfjordur 1 996. Instead, 1 1 exd6 releases the tension in the centre which is fine for Black after I 1 . . .Ci'Jef5 1 2 i.f2 i.c6 1 3 Ci'Je4

Ci'JxO+ 1 4 i.xO b6 1 5 c3 :c8 1 6 'ii'e 2 Ci'Jxd6. 1 1 . Ci'Jef5 12 i.f2 Black tends to play 10 ... i.d7 so it makes sense to start our survey of the line at that point. However, this position was reached by a slightly different move-order, 1 0 . . .Ci'Jef5 I 1 i.f2 i.d7 1 2 Ci'Je4. ••

12 i.c6 ..•

Black is trying to shake off Short from the accepted theory by using a careful move-order. Here he is protecting the d-pawn while chal­ lenging the h l -a8 diagonal. Also possible: 1 2 ...Ci'JxO+ and now: 1 3 i.xtJ i.c6 1 4 c3 transposes to the main game. 13 'ii'x O i.c6 ( 1 3 ... dxe5?! 1 4 i.xc5 exf4 1 5 'ii'x f4 i s better for White) 1 4 c3 l:tc8

and now: a) 1 5 exd6 Ci'Jxd6 16 �e2 b6 1 7 l:tfd l 'ii'd 7 1 8 h4?! (a reckless attempt to create a kingside attack in an awkward position-my excuse was that at the time I had never seen 1 0 ... i.d7 before and had already consumed a lot of time on the clock trying to find the best line against my strong opponent) 1 8 ...l:tfe8 1 9 d4 Ci'Jxe4 20 .i.xe4 i.xe4 2 1 'ii'xe4 �5 22 l:td2 cxd4 23 i.xd4 l:ted8 when Black had the better chances, Lane-Sadler, London 1 992 .

Main Line 6 f4 e6 6 7 b) I S 'ii' e2 b6? ( l S . . . hS is best to �tllP g3-g4) 16 g4 dxeS 17 gxfS rxfS 1 8 ttJd2 .i.h6 1 9 .i.g3 with a winning advantage, Gesing-Rohde, 11 yeres 200 I . c) I S d4 cxd4 1 6 cxd4 'ii'a S 1 7 g4 IIxeS 1 8 fxeS ttJe7 1 9 a3 .i.xe4 20 'i'xe4 ttJdS left Black with a strong knight on dS, ensuring an edge in i{ogulj-Jovanic, Bled 200 1 .

13 c3 ttJxf3+ 14 .i.xf3!

1 7 .i.xc6 1:txc6 1 8 ltJe4 .i.xe5 1 9 'ii'O l:tc7 ( 1 9. . .l:.c8 is a sensible pre­ caution to avoid any future pin on h2-b8 diagonal) 20 d4 .i.g7 2 1 g4 ltJd6 (2 1 ... ltJe7 22 .i.h4 f5 23 ltJg5 is slightly better for White due to the backward e-pawn) 22 .i.g3 ltJxe4 23 .i.xc7 'ii'd 5 24 .:tae I gave White a winning advantage. 16 dxe4 ltJe7 17 .i.xcs

Short prefers to take back with the bishop while 14 W'xO .i.c6 trans­ poses to the note after mack 's twelfth move. 14 ...dxeS

Black releases the tension in the centre. This is the most popular reply although the alternative 14 ... hS is worth investigating: a) I S exd6 b6 1 6 ttJf6+ .i.xf6 1 7 .ixc6 l:.c8 1 8 .i.b7 l:.b8 1 9 .i.e4 li.Jxd6 ( 1 9 ...W'xd6 20 'ii'a4?! { the queen is misplaced on the side of the board so White should consider 20 'ii'e 2 } 'ii'c7 2 1 'ii'a6 b5 22 .:tac I .:tfc8 23 .:tfe l .:td8 24 b4 .i.e7 25 a4 .:td6 26 'ii'a 5 'ii'x a5 27 bxa5 .:ta6 0- 1 Sale-Sadler, Cannes 1 995) 20 'ii'e 2! 'ii'c7 2 1 .i.O .:tfd8 22 .:tad I ltJrs 23 .:tfe I l:td6 24 .i.e4 ltJe7 2S h3 .i.g7 26 g4 hxg4 27 hxg4 with equal chances, Kveinys-Dokhoian, Bonn 1 994. b) 1 5 h3 dxe5 16 g4 hxg4 1 7 hxg4 exf4 ! ? ( a remarkable idea to construct a draw right out of the ()pening) 1 8 gxf5 exf5 1 9 ltJxc5 "g5+ 20 �h2 'ii'h6+ 2 1 �g2 Ih- Ih Keskinen-Molander, Helsinki 200 I .

1 7 ...ltJc6 Rechlis hopes to instigate com­ plications by sacrificing the ex­ change. In the circumstances this is hardly surprising considering that 1 7 . . ..:te8 leads to a poor ending after 1 8 'ii'x d8 .:taxd8 19 .i.xa7 .i.xe5 20 .:tfd I when the extra material gives White a clear advantage.

18 .i.xfB ""6+ 19 �hl .i.xfB 20 'ii'b3

Short has a material advantage and is happy to offer an exchange of queens. The game concluded:

Not IS ltJxcS exf4 1 6 .i.xc6 bxc6 1 7 gxf4 'ii'd 6 and B lack is better due to the weak f4 pawn and exposed white king.

20 'ii'c7 21 .i.g4 .:te8 22 .i.e2 ltJxeS 23 'ii'a4 .:ta8 24 l:.ad l hS 25 'ii'd4 .i.e7 26 b4 �g7 27 a3 b6 28 c4 Short reveals his plan of creating a passed c-pawn 28... aS 29 l:bl axb4 30 axb4 .:ta2 31 l:tb2 .:ta3 32 .:tbb I .:ta2 33 .:tf2 h4 34 .i.n :a3 35 gxh4 .i.xh4 36 l:tc2 .i.f6 37 cS bxcS 38 bxcS Finally the c-pawn is

J.Claesen-Schebler, Belgian Team Ch 1 998, saw 1 5 ....:tc8 1 6 ltJxcS b6

38...ltJc6 39 'ii'd 6 l:ta7 40 W'xc7 .:txc7 41 .i.a6 ltJd4 42 l:.c4 .i.eS 43

1 5 fxeS

I S ....i.xe4

•••

advanced and Black has no chance.

68 Main Line 6/4 e6

:'b7 :'xb7 44 �xb7 tUb5 45 �c6 tUc7 46 ..tog2 ..toh6 47 ncl �d4 48 �a4 ..tog7 49 ..too �f6 50 nc2 .i.e5 5 1 h3 ..tog5 52 �e3 'it>h4 53 :f2 f6 54 :'0 g5 55 �d l �f4+ 56 �d3 �e5 57 �e2 �f4 58 c6 tUe8 59 �c4 tUd6+ 60 �d4 tUe8 61 �c5 �g3 62 �f1 g4 63 hxg4 'it>xg4 64 �e2 �d6+ 65 �b6 � &5 66 �c4 f5 67 exf5 exf5 68 �f7 tUc7 69 :'d3 �e5 70 :'d7 'it>f6 71 :'xc7 1 -0

Fonner world champion Karpov has stayed faithful to the Closed Sicilian through the years and his handling of the opening is a model example. Indeed, the next game is one of the main reasons why I took up the line. Karpov-Quinteros

Buenos Aires 1 980

I e4 c5 2 tUc3 d6 3 g3 g6 4 �g2 �g7 5 d3 tUc6 6 f4 e6 7 tUo tUge7 8 0-0 0-0 9 .i.e3 tUd4

10 :'bl

This used to be the main move-­ so that after White plays tUce2 and Hlack exchanges knights, the b2 pawn is protected. At the time of the game Karpov was world champion Ilnd his use of the opening inspired numerous imitators. Also possible:

a) 1 0 Wd2 :'b8 1 1 tUd l b6 1 2 tUh4 ( 1 2 c3 should be considered) 1 2".1'5 (whenever White prepares f4-f5 it makes sense to block the ad­ vance) 1 3 tUfl �a6 1 4 :'fe I d5 I S �xd4 �xd4 1 6 exf5 tUxf5 1 7 tUxf5 exf5 1 8 c3 i.f6 1 9 tUh3 h6 20 �h I '12-'12 Grefe-Cusi, Californian Ch 1 997. b) 10 �h l (the king makes room for the bishop to retreat to .S I ) 1 0" .tUec6 1 1 �g l :'b8 1 2 'Wd2 tUxo 1 3 �xo tUd4 14 �g2 'ii'a 5 I S 'ii'fl �d7 1 6 ttJd I f5 1 7 tUe3 .c7 1 8 c3 tUc6 1 9 :'ac l tUe7 20 g4 gave White an edge in Blatny­ Anand. World Junior Ch 1 985. c) 10 tUh4 fS (as usual when W hite is preparing f4-f5 Black takes action to stop it) 1 1 Wd2 :'b8 1 2 .l::.a e l b6 1 3 �h l 'it>h8 1 4 �g l .i.b7 1 5 tUd l (a standard middlegame plan is to move the knight out of the way and play c2-c3 to oust the d4 knight) 1 5 . . .d5 1 6 c3 tUdc6 1 7 exd5 exd5 1 8 tUo Wd7 1 9 d4 �a6 20 l:Z.fl cxd4 2 1 cxd4 �g8 22 tUe5 'ii'd6 23 :'0 tUf6 24 na3 .i.b7 25 tUxc6 'ii'x c6 26 :'xa7 with advan­ tage to White although the game was eventually drawn, Tal­ Matanovic. Wijk aan Zee 1 968. d) 10 g4 �d7 1 1 :'b l �c6 1 2 �xd4?! (in general White does not exchange on d4 with the bishop unless there is a positive return) 1 2".cxd4 1 3 tUe2 f5 (once again Black stops the advance f4-f5) 1 4 gxf5 gxfS I S 'ii'e l fxe4 1 6 dxe4 ltJg6! ( 1 6" .�xe4 is met by 1 7 tUexd4) 1 7 .i.h3 tUxf4 1 8 tUxf4 :'xf4 1 9 �xe6+ �h8 20 �fS (White wants to trap the bishop but 20 .g3 is better, hoping for 20 ... :'xe4 when 2 1 tUgS wins) 20".'ii'f6 2 1 'ii'd2 �h6 22 'ii'd 3 d5 ! 23 .l::.be 1 dxe4 24 .xd4 :xf5 0- 1 Sbraccia-Rotstein, San Benedetto 1 998.

Main Line 6 }4 e6 6 9 1 1 tUe2 tUxf3+ 12 .Mixf3

1 O tU ec6 ! ? The knight reinforces Black's control of the d4 square. There are a variety of alternatives: a) 1 0 ... dS 1 1 tUe2 tUxf3+ 1 2 .Mix!] d4 1 3 .i.d2 eS 1 4 .i.g2 ( White retreats the bishop to prepare the advance f4-fS) 1 4 . . . bS I S l:If2 l:Ib8 1 6 'ii' fl fS 1 7 fxeS .MixeS 1 8 .i.f4 .Mixf4 1 9 tUxf4 fxe4 20 .i.xe4 tUfS 2 1 .i.xfS lhfS 22 l::. e I .i.b7 23 'ir'e2 l::. t7 24 'ii'e6 'ii'f8 2S tUxg6! 'jt'g7 26 'ii'e8 t 1 -0 Masternak-Cyborowski, Bytom 1 995. b) 10 ....i.d7 1 1 tUe2 tUxf3+ 1 2 .Mixf3 'ii'c 7 1 3 'ii'd 2 l::. a d8 1 4 c4 ! ? (White decides to try and make progress on the queenside) 14 ... b6 I S b4 .i.c6 16 .i.f2 �h8 17 tUc3 tUfS 1 8 tUe2 tUe7 1 9 tUc3 tUfS 20 tLle2 tUe7 I/HI2 Davies-Sherbakov, London 1 992. c) 1 O ... b6 1 1 tUe2 tUxf3+ 1 2 .i.xf3 .i.b7 1 3 .i.g2 'ir'c7 1 4 c3 ( 1 4 c4, intending b2-b4, is a possible idea) 1 4 . . .l:Iae8 I S "c2 �h8 1 6 l::.be 1 fS 1 7 .i.d2 tUg8 1 8 c4 tUe7 1 9 .i.c3 tUc6 2 0 exf5 exf5 2 1 .i.xg7+ 'ii'xg7 22 'ir'c3 112-112 Casper-Foisor, Moscow 1 987. d) 1O ... l::. b 8 1 1 tUe2 tUxf3+ 1 2 .Mixf3 b6 1 3 a3 .i.b7 1 4 b4 'ii'd7 1 5 c4 fS 1 6 .i.g2 with equal chances, Bastian-Vogt, German Team Ch 1 998. •••

12 b6 Black indicates a desire to complete his queenside develop­ ment with a queenside fianchetto. 1 2 ... tUd4 1 3 .i.g2 'jt'aS (if 13 . . . fS then 1 4 c3 tUxe2+ I S 'ii'xe2 l::. b 8 1 6 eS ! is sl ightly better for White) 1 4 tUc I 'ii'a4 I S c3 'ii'xd I 1 6 l:txd I tUc6 1 7 tUe2 eS 1 8 h3 .Mie6 led to equal chances in Balashov­ Rashkovsky, USSR Ch 1 98 1 . 1 3 c3 .i.b7 1 4 'ii'd2 d5?! Quinteros allows White the chance to close the centre. This might well be a ploy to steer the game towards a draw but White has the edge due to his space advantage, which allows him to manoeuvre his pieces to superior squares. 14 ... fS is an improvement. .•.

15 e5 a5

Or 1 5 ... d4? 1 6 cxd4 cxd4 1 7 tUxd4 when White takes advantage of the pin on the h l -a8 diagonal to win a pawn . 16 d4 'ii'e7 17 .i.f2 .i.a6 1 8 l::.fel h5?!

An inaccuracy that is designed to counter g3-g4 but in the long-term it weakens the kingside pawn structure. 1 8 ... cxd4 is possible when 1 9 tUxd4 ( 1 9 cxd4?! is met by 1 9 ... tUb4, intending . . . tUd3. with an

70 Main Line 6 /4 e6 edge) 19 ... l:tfc8 20 l:tbd l roughly equal chances.

leaves

19 h3 l:tac8 20 �g2 fS 21 We3 :17

The exchange in the centre, 2 1 ... cxd4, is slightly better for White due to his space advantage after 22 ltJxd4 ltJxd4 23 .xd4. 22 a3 !

White takes steps to stop . . . ltJc6-b4. Instead, 22 dxcS? allows Black ofT the hook by relieving the tension; after 22 ... bxcS 23 'it'xcS 1hcs 24 �xcS liJxeS! is fine for Black. 22 ...a4 23 g4 cxd4 24 cxd4! hxg4 25 hxg4 ltJaS 26 gxfS l:txfS

33 fxg6+ �g8

33 ... �xg6 allows a nice finish after 34 .ioxe6+ .gS 3S ltJf4 mate. 34 gxh7+ �h8 35 ltJf4 0-1

It is also possible to go against conventional wisdom and refrain from occupying the d4 square with the knight. Donev-Zeller

Reutlingen 1 997 I e4 cS 2 ltJc3 ltJc6 3 g3 g6 4 .tg2 �g7 5 d3 d6 6 f4 e6 7 ltJf3 ltJge7 8 0-0 0-0 9 .ioe3 b6

A compromise because the black delt:nce has been steadily under­ mined. The natural 26 . . .gxfS runs into 27 �hS, intending �g6 and .h3. 27 �g4 :ff8 28 :h l �17 29 ]:th7 l:th8 30 l:tbhl ltJc4 If 30 . . . l:txh7 then White can con­ tinue the attack by 3 1 l:txh7 l:th8 32 'ir'h3 l:txh7 33 Wxh7 .e8 34 fS ! exfS 3S ltJt� fxg4 36 e6+ �f6 37 �h4+ �fS 38 .xg7. 31 .g3! ltJxb2 32 fS!

This sly little move has been growing in popularity but it can hardly be considered a refutation of the l ine. Black merely seeks to play solidly and undermine the pawn centre. 1 0 .iof2!?

Once more the advance f4-fS is the key to breaking up Black's de­ fensive barrier. 32...l:txh7

If32 ... exfS then 33 �xfS wins.

A good way to keep Black gues­ sing. White has the option of open­ ing up the game with d4 or launching a kingside pawn advance when the dark-squared bishop will emerge on h4. I also like the look of 1 0 d4 when play might continue: a) 1 O ...dS!? I I exdS (if 1 1 dxcS then I \ . . .d4 is a winning fork and 1 1 eS ltJfS 12 .iof2 .ioa6 1 3 l:te 1 cxd4 1 4 ltJxd4 ltJcxd4 I S �xd4 ltJxd4 1 6 'ii'xd4 Wc7 is assessed in

Mail/ 1.11/('

Black's favour by Gallagher) I I . ..tOfS 1 2 .i.f2 tOcxd4 1 3 tOeS cxdS ( 1 3 ....i.a6 1 4 l:te l l:tc8 I S dxe6 CtJxe6 1 6 tOdS .i.b7 1 7 c4 ! ? { 1 7 c3 .i.a8 ! 1 9 tOd7 ! l:te8 ! was fine for Black in Abramovic-Razuvaev, Paris 1 989} 1 7 . . .tOfd4 1 8 "a4 as 19 "d7 .i.xeS 20 l:txeS .i.xdS 2 1 'ii'xdS "c7 22 l:tae I l:tcd8 2 3 'ii'e4 l:tfe8 24 h4 gave White a strong attack in Bastian-Loew, Binz 1 995) 14 tOxdS .i.e6 I S c4 l:tc8 16 a4 l:te8 1 7 l:te I "d6 1 8 tOg4 .i.d7 1 9 tOge3 l::tc d8 20 l:ta3 .i.c6 2 1 l:td3 tOxe3 22 l:tdxe3 l:txe3 23 1:txe3 l:te8 112- 112 Rogulj-W ittmann, Austrian Team Ch 1 996. b) 1 0... .i.a6 and now:

()

/4 , " '

'I

tOxd4 cxd4 1 6 .i.xd4 c5 1 7 .lIL.l I exf4 1 8 .i.xg7 fxg3 1 9 hxgj 'J,''x�'1 20 'ir'd4+ f6 2 1 c4 l:tf7 22 .i.hj l::t d ( 23 �h2 tOg8 24 b4 hS 2S l:tfa2 'ii'h H 26 l:td2 "c7 27 l:tda2 �8 28 l::t d 2 "c7 112-112 Rogulj-Kengis, German Team Ch 1 999. 10 ....i.b7 1 1 'ii'd 2 ':c8 1 2 l:tad 'ii'd 7 13 g4

The centre is closed so White starts an attack on the wing-a typical theme in this opening. 13 ... f5!

Rather than allow White to have things go his own way, the text stops any ideas of speculatively sacrificing a pawn with f4-fS . 14 h3

Donev wishes to keep his kingside pawn mass intact in readiness for a timely exchange of pawns. 14... tOd4

b I ) 1 1 l:te I (I prefer to keep the rooks co-ordinated on the first rank) 1 1 .. ...c7 1 2 a4 l:tad8 1 3 tObS .i.xbS 14 axbS tOxd4 I S tOxd4 cxd4 1 6 .i.xd4 e S ( 1 6 . . ..i.xd4+ 1 7 "xd4 "xc2 1 8 ':ec I "e2 1 9 .i.fl and the black queen is chased away before White takes on a7) 1 7 .i.c3 dS 1 8 .i.xeS "cS+ 1 9 �hl dxe4 20 "e2 f6 2 1 .i.c3 f5 22 .i.xg7 �xg7 23 l:txa7 and White was a pawn up in Gonzalez-Vera, Ubeda 200 I . b2) I I l:tf2 "c7 1 2 a4 l:tad8 1 3 tObS (there is a distinct echo in White's plan from the yrevious note) 1 3 ... .i.xbS 1 4 axbS tOxd4 I S

14 ... fxe4 ! ? is probably better, when I S fxe4 fails to I S ... .i.xc3 1 6 "xc3 and 1 6. . ..i.a6 targets the rook on f1 with advantage. Or I S l:txe4 ( I S tOxe4 is less spectacular and probably better after I S ... .i.xb2 1 6 c3 .i.a3 when Black 's dark-squared bishop is well away from the king­ side, making it easier for White to attack) I S ... lLld4 1 6 tOxd4 .i.xe4 1 7 dxe4 cxd4 1 8 .i.xd4 .i.xd4+ 1 9 "xd4 and White has some com­ pensation for the exchange. 15 .i.h4 tOec6 16 tOdl

The knight retreats to d I so that if Black takes on f3 then the pawn on b2 is protected. Now White wants to play c3 to get rid of the imposing knight on d4.

16 l:tce8 17 c3 tOxf3+ 18 .i.xf3 .i.h6 19 exfS gxfS 20 g5 ..•

If 20 gxfS then 20 ... l:txfS 2 1 .i.g4 l:tff8 22 .i.gS otTers equal chances. 20 ....i.g7 21 "g2!

72 Muin Line 6 /4 e6 The queen and bishop combine well to exert pressure on the h l -a8 diagonal. 2 1 . liJd8 22 ..txb7 'ii' xb7 'ii'x b7 liJxb7 24 %te2! ••

23

Donev signals the fact that he has pinpointed the e6 pawn as the weak l ink in Black's pawn structure. 24 ... bS 2S l:tfel xg7 23 ttJhS+ 1 -0 Nabiev-Tokarev, Russian Junior Ch 2000. b2) I I . . .ttJd4 1 2 ttJdS .id7 ( 1 2 . . . ttJxc2 1 3 ttJxgS ! fxgS 1 4 .ixgS l: f7 I S ttJxe7+ l:xe7 1 6 .idS+ �h8 1 7 f6 and Black can resign) 1 3 �gS fxgS 14 f6 ttJxdS I S .ixdS+ .ie6 1 6 f7+! (an unexpected move that helps to create a mating net) 1 6 . . . �h8 1 7 J.e4 ttJfS ( 1 7 . . . h6 1 8 .g6 wins) 1 8 J.xfS .ixfS 1 9 :xfS "d7 20 g4 e4 (Black is in big trouble and attempts to activate his bishop) 2 1 dxe4 i.d4+ 22 �g2 .e6 23 .ix.SS .xe4+ 24 �h3 .xc2 2S l:afi Wxb2 26 J.f6+ (26 J.e7 ! is a simple win) 26 . . . J.xf6 27 l:xf6 'ir'eS 28 gS l:ad8 29 .h6 .e3+ 30 :' 1 0 .d2 3 1 .hS �g7 32 l:g6+ �h8 33 :'h6 1 -0 F.Solomon-Wojt­ kiewicz, Philadelphia 1 994. .

I I AxfS!

Now the rook is sacrificed to accelerate the attack. 1 1 . ttJxfS 12 .ie4 ..

A few moves after 9 fS and it is a lot clearer why White was happy to give up material to reach this position. The bishop on e4 radiates power on the b l -h7 diagonal, es­ pecially with .hS coming up next. 1 2 . . .ttJh6

The knight tries to block White 's access to the weak pawn on h7. Other moves are not encouraging for Black: a) 12 . . . �cd4 1 3 .hS 'ir'f6 1 4 ttJdS 'ir'e6 I S c 3 .g6 1 6 .d I ttJc6 1 7 g4 when White is clearly win­ ning, Zhigalko-Noroozi, Oropesa del Mar 2000. b) 1 2 . . . ttJfd4 1 3 .hS fS 14 ttJgS ( 1 4 .idS+ is even quicker: 14 . . . �h8 I S �gS h6 16 .g6 hxgS 1 7 .hS mate) 14 . . . :f6 I S J.dS+ �fS 1 6 ttJxh7+ �e7 1 7 ttJxf6 .fS 1 8 ttJh7 1 -0 Biicker-Fabisch, Ger­ many 1 993. c) 12 . . . ttJfe7 13 .txh7+! �xh7 14 .hS+ �g8 I S ttJgS :e8 1 6 .xf7+ �h8 1 7 �e6 wins. I3 .hS dS The central pawn is given up in an etTort to deflect White from the attack. 1 3 . . .. f6 runs into 1 4 �dS 'it'e6 I S �gS 'it'g4 1 6 ttJf6+ .ixf6 1 7 'ii'xh6 and Black will be mated.

Main Line 6 /4 e5 75 slogan for Closed Sicilian specialists, although 8 ttJf2 h4 9 Black has to deal with the dual ttJdS is a safe way of making slight Ihreats of ttJe6+ and 'il'h7+. but steady progress) 8 . . . gxfS 9 0-0 f4 1 0 gxf4 .tg4 1 1 "e l ttJd4 1 2 17 . . ...xdS 1 8 'ii' x h7+ �f6 19 h4! "f2 "d7 1 3 tllgS f6 1 4 ttJf3 ttJe7 I S fS (closing the kingside to con­ fine the black pieces; anyway 1 5 fxe5 fails to make an impression against 1 5 . . . .txf3 ! 16 .txf3 fxe5) 1 5 . . . .txf3 16 .txf3 0-0-0 1 7 ttJd l d5 1 8 c3 (or 1 8 .tg2 dxe4 1 9 dxe4 h4 with equal chances) 1 8 . . . ttJxf3+ 1 9 "xf3 c4 20 exd5 1/2- 1/2 El Debs-Matsuura, Sao Paulo 2000. b) 7 . . . ttJf6 and now: b I) 8 0-0 .tg4 9 'it'e I ttJd4 1 0 fxe5 dxe5 ( 1 0 . . . tllx c2 1 1 • f2 ttJxa 1 It is usually the quiet moves in 1 2 exf6 wins) 1 I .tg5 ttJxc2 1 2 "f2 wmbinational play that are difficult 'iii'd4 1 3 ];tac I ttJb4 1 4 ttJb5 "xf2+ to foresee. In this case, Krapivin has (the best chance of survival lay in enough time to secure his knight 1 4 . . . 'iii'd7 but after 1 5 .txf6 ttJxd3 before bringing the queen's rook 1 6 .txg7 ttJxf2 1 7 ttJxf2 f5 1 8 .txh8 "xb5 1 9 .txe5 White wins) into the action. 1 5 ttJxf2 .te2 1 6 :fe I .txd3 1 7 19 . . . ttJd4 20 :fl+ ttJf3+ 2 1 �g2 :h8 22 ttJxe4+ �e6 23 "g6+ �e7 ttJc7 + �d7 1 8 ttJxa8 .ta6 1 9 :ed 1 + 24 ttxf3 :hf8 2S 'ir'gS+ �e6 26 c4 �c6 2 0 a3 ttJa2 2 1 :c2 1 -0 Lyrberg-J.Bellin, Gausdal 1 993. 1-0 b2) 8 f5 gxfS 9 .tg5 h6 10 .th4 Black resigned in view of ttJe7 1 1 0-0 :g8 1 2 exf5 .txf5 26 . . . "c6 27 "g6+ �e7 28 "g7 ( 1 2 ...ttJxfS 1 3 .txf6 i.xf6 1 4 ttJd5) and White wins a rook. 13 .txf6 ( 1 3 "f3 !? is worthy of consideration) \ 3 . . . .txf6 1 4 l:txf5 ! ? The mistaken 8 . . . 0-0 is often played and it pays to know how to ( 1 4 'ir'f3 1 ? i s interesting when 14 . . . .th8 1 5 .xb7 is cgual) take advantage of this error. In the next game I find a way to wreck 14 . . . ttJxf5 1 5 �5 ttJg7 16 'Wxh6 ttJe6 1 7 .txb7 .tg7 1 8 "h5 (the Black's passive defence. intention is ttfl to put pressure on f7) 1 8 . . . :b8 1 9 .tc6+ �f8 20 :0 Lane-Manet f6 2 1 .td5 (the bishop is dominant Founnies 1 995 on d5) 2 1 . . . l:h8 22 "f5 ttJd4 23 1 e4 cS 2 ttJc3 ttJc6 3 g3 g6 4 "g6 "e7 24 ttJg5 ttxb2 25 ttJce4 (White increases the pressure on the .tg2 .tg7 S d3 d6 6 f4 eS 7 tll h3 f-pawn) 25 . . . :xc2 26 ttJh7+? ttxh7 tLJge7 Other moves should not trouble 27 'ir'xh7 �e8 and the black king escaped the mate threats in White: a) 7 . . . h S ! ? 8 fS ("If in doubt Neumeier-G.Timoshenko, Oberwart advance the f-pawn" could be a 1 995, with the game being 14 ttJxdS fS I S .txh6 fxe4 1 6 .txg7 �xg7 1 7 ttJgS

76 Main Line 6/4 e5 eventually drawn. However, I think White has a big improvement with 26 l:tb l ! when 26 . . . We8 (now there is no escape square on e8 for the king) 27 ltJh7+ l:txh7 28 Wxh7 WinS. 8 0-0 0-0?

In my experience. a great many players will play this move rapidly, wrongly assuming both sides are merely completing their develop­ ment. 9 f5 f6

Black decides to deal with the threat of fS-f6 by blocking the f6 square. This usually allows White to carry out a strong pawn storm on the kingside. 10 g4

White is already on top with a space advantage and an instant attack based on advancing the king­ side pawns.

1 0 . . . g5?!

Releasing the tension and allow­ ing White a variety of ways to conduct the kingside attack. Now that the kingside is blocked, White can use the space advantage to manoeuvre his pieces in preparation for a breakthrough. Other moves: a) 1 0 ... ltJd4 and now: a l ) I 1 .i.e3 .i.d7 ( 1 1 . . J:tb8 1 2 Wd2 b6 1 3 %t fl .i.b7 1 4 :afl { White logically transfers his pieces

to the kingside} 1 4 . . . d5 1 5 .ilxd4 cxd4 1 6 ltJxd5 ltJxd5 1 7 exd5 g5 1 8 lIe2 l:.n 1 9 Wb4 i.xd5 20 i.xd5 'ii'xd5 2 1 "'3 'ii'xb3 22 axb3 :c8 23 ltJt2 and the knight heads for the strong outpost on e4, giving White an edge in the ending, Hug­ Bimboim, Caracas 1 976) 1 2 ltJf2 .i.c6 ( 1 2 ... g5 blocks the kingside allowing White continuously to improve the position of his pieces on the kingside by 1 3 'ii'd2 b5 1 4 ltJd5 b4 1 5 c 3 bxc3 1 6 bxc3 ltJdc6 1 7 ltJh I h6 1 8 ltJg3 :b8 1 9 h4 Karakas-Kowalska, Naleczow 1 979) 1 3 ltJe2 d5 1 4 ltJg3 b6 1 5 h4 dxe4 1 6 liJfxe4 gxfS 1 7 gxf5 ltJd5 1 8 i.d2 ltJf4 (Black sacrifices a pawn to activate his pieces) 1 9 .ilxt't ext't 20 l:txf4 .i.h6 2 1 l:tg4+ q;.h8 22 c3 ltJb5 (22 . . . ltJe6 looks tricky but after 23 fxe6 f5 24 ltJxf5 l:txf5 25 We2 White is better) 23 'ii'e 2 when Black 's temporary initiative has been quenched, leaving White with an extra pawn, Saravanan-Thipsay, Chalapathi 2000. a2) 1 1 ltJfl l:tn 1 2 .i.e3 b6 1 3 Wd2 i.b7 1 4 ltJh l ! (White has enough time for this nice man­ oeuvre, which brings the knight to g3 ) 1 4 . . . Wd7 1 5 ltJg3 :d8 1 6 ltJd5 gxfS 1 7 gxf5 .i.xd5 I H exd5 tiJdxf5? 19 l:txfS ! ltJxf5 20 .i.h3 and the pinned knight will soon be captured, with a clear advantage, Biicker-llIner, Nord Wittlich 1 990. b) 1 0 . . . i.d7 1 1 .i.e3 (another ap­ proach is 1 1 ltJfl 'it'h8 1 2 ltJe2 i.e8 1 3 ltJg3 d5 1 4 h4 with better chances for White, Balashov-IIIic, Kusadasi 1 990) 1 1 . . .Wa5 1 2 a3 l:tac8 1 3 ltJe2 (a common theme in this line is to transfer the gueen's knight to g3) 1 3 . . .ltJd4 14 lLlg3 c4 1 5 dxc4 :xc4 1 6 c3 lLldc6 ( 1 6 . . . ltJb5 1 7 a4 ltJc7 1 8 'ii'xd6 :n 1 9 b4 wins) 1 7 Wxd6 l:td8 1 8 'ii'd3

Main Line 6 /4 e5 7 7 .te6 1 9 W'e2 .i17 20 g5 gxfS 2 1 gxf6 .txf6 22 ltJxf5 ltJxf5 23 lhfS l:d6 24 l:afl �g7 25 .ih6+ 1 -0 Galarza-Minaya, Madrid 1 999. 1 1 ltJf2 I moved the knight out of the way to permit the advance h2-h4.

.ixg5?! (20 . . . fxg5 i s better when 2 1 f6 W'17 22 i.xg5 i.xg5 23 W'xg5+ 'ifilh7 24 W'h4 �g8 25 W'g5+ gives White at least a draw) 2 1 .i.xg5 fxg5 22 f6 W'e6 23 W'xg5 I �17 24 "'87+ �e8 25 W'h7 W'xg4 26 ltJg7+ �d7 27 �h 1 1 -0 Jirovsky -Savickas, Duisburg 1 992. 1 2 h4

I decided to put Black under im­ mediate pressure by playing for an infiltration on the kingside. In retro­ spect it might have been better to improve the position of White's pieces before sacrificing on g5. For instance: 1 2 .ie3 b5 1 3 ltJe2 (as usual the queen ' s knight is better elaced on the kingside) 1 3 . b4 1 4 lLlg3 :b5 1 5 ltJh5 h6 1 6 h4 :17 1 7 lLlh3 gxh4?! (in such a passive posi­ tion Black is likely to go wrong and here the capture on h4 wiII allow White a timely g4-g5) 1 8 W'e I �f8 1 9 W'xh4 ltJg8 20 ltJxg7 �xg7 2 1 W'h5 ltJce7 2 2 1:0 :a5 2 3 :afl :xa2 24 g5 ! (at last White signals the attack) 24 . . . hxg5 25 ltJxg5 fxg5 26 f6+ :xf6 27 l:xf6 ltJxf6 28 W'xg5+ �17 (28 . . . ltJg6 29 W'h6+ �17 30 W'h7+ wins) 29 W'xf6+ 1 -0 Oakham CoIl inson-Sakhatova, 1 993. . .

1 1 . . :b8 .

Black can do little on the kingside so chooses to advance his pawns on the opposite wing. A look at other games stemming from this position is not encouraging for Black: a) 1 1 . .. .i.d7 12 h4 h6 13 ltJh3 (now White always has the threat of exchanges on g5) multiple 1 3 . . . lLld4 1 4 a4 :c8 1 5 :f2 a6 1 6 ltJd5 ltJdc6 1 7 hxg5 hxg5 1 8 ltJe3 b5 1 9 c3 i.e8 (Black's passive posi­ tion is a sure sign that he has prob­ lems) 20 axb5 axb5 2 1 W'b3+ c4 22 dxc4 ltJa5 23 Wb4 ltJxc4 24 :a6 ltJc6 25 Wb3 :17 26 ltJxc4 bxc4 27 W'xc4 and White is a pawn up with the advantage, Shchekachev-Hultin, HalIsberg 1 99 1 . b) 1 1 . . . a6 1 2 h4 h6 1 3 hxg5 (it is probably best to delay capturing on g5 so as to keep open his options) 1 3 . . . hxg5 1 4 lLlh3 "e8 1 5 ltJe2 .th6 1 6 ltJg3 b5 1 7 ltJh5 lLld8 1 8 .ie3 ltJec6 1 9 W'd2 We7 20 ltJxg5

1 2 . . . h6 13 tLlh3 b5 1 4 hxg5 hxg5 I S ltJxgS ! ?

Such a capture on g5 is often delayed but during the game I could tell that my opponent feared the sacrifice. Indeed, there is no refutation and White is rewarded with a strong initiative. 15

• . .

fxgS 16 i.xg5 :n

If 16 . . . .if6 then 1 7 .ixf6 l:xf6 1 8 g5 :17 1 9 g6 ltJxg6 (otherw ise 20 Wh5 is strong) 20 fxg6 1:xfl + 2 I W'xfl gives White the advantage . 1 7 .i h4

78

Mall1

UII!' fJ (4 e 5

Berg-De Firmian

Akureyri 1 994

I e4 c5 2 tiJc3 d6 3 g3 tiJc6 4 i.g2 g6 5 d3 i.g7 6 f4 e5 7 tiJh3 tiJge7 8 0-0 tiJd4

17 :ir'flt Manet makes it clear that he in­ tends to counter-sacrifice material on f5 . It is difficult to find a strong alternative, for instance: 1 7 . . . b4 1 8 tiJd5 'ii'd7 1 9 tiJxe7+ tiJxe7 20 g5 tiJxfS 2 1 exf5 :xf5 22 i.d5+ �f8 23 'ii'h 5 gives White a winning attack. ..

1 8 g5 i.xf5 19 exf5 :xf5 20 :xfS 'ii' xfS 21 i.e4

The material balance is equal but 1 have excellent attacking chances based on bringing my queen to h5. 2 1 . . .'ii'n 22 g6 'ii'f4

22 . . . tiJxg6? 23 i.d5 pins the queen. 23 'ii'h 5 'ii'h6

The alternative way of blocking the g-fiIe, 23 . . . i.h6, fails to 24 tiJd5 ! and White w ins. 24 'ii'x h6 i.xh6 25 tiJd5 i.flt B[ack is completely tied up be­ cause 25 . . . tiJxd5 26 i.xd5+ [eaves the knight hanging on c6. 26 :0 :c8 27 :n 1 -0.

The success of White's system has prompted B[ack players to ana­ lyse ways of increasing their control over Ihe sensitive f5 square. How­ ever, in the next game, despite the inclusion of 8 . . . ttJd4, White is still lempled 10 play f4-f5 and it works oul well.

9 f5

A favourite move of Spassky 's which should be fairly obvious to anyone who habitually plays this line with White. In return for the f­ pawn, W hite will activate his pieces on the kingside and obtain good practical play. Less ambitious is the main alternative 9 i.e3 when, after 9 . . 0-0, play might continue 1 0 'ii'd 2, preparing the doubling of rooks on the f-fiIe as part of the standard middlegame plan. a) 1 O ...i.d7 [ [ :f2?! (in view of Black's play 1 1 :ae l !?, intending tiJd I and c3, should be considered) 1 1 . . .'ii'c 8 1 2 fS (conceding that he made a mistake but 1 2 tiJg5 is rough[y equa[) 12 . . . gxf5 13 i.h6 f6 1 4 exfS i.xf5 [ 5 i.d5+ �h8 when Black can defend stoutly while maintaining his extra pawn, Lerch­ Gofshtein, Cannes 1 999. b) 1 O . . . :b8 [ I :f2 f6 12 :afl i.e6 1 3 tiJd5 i.xd5 1 4 exd5 tiJefS [ 5 g4 (if 1 5 fxe5 then [ 5 . . . tiJxc2 ! is better for B[ack) 1 5 . . .tiJxe3 1 6 'ii'x e3 "d7 1 7 c 3 tiJb5 1 8 fS g5 1 9 .

Main Line 6 /4 e5 7 9 .ie4 h6 20 :'g2 a5 2 1 liJf2 a4 22 a3 l:t17 23 liJh I liJc7 24 liJg3 when the blocked position favours White, who will soon play h2-h4, Shaw­ Sher, Hastings 1 995/96. 9

. . .

gxf5 10 .h5

A look at the previous main games in this chapter would suggest that this is a strong move for White. The queen is transferred to the kingside as part of a lightning attack. Instead, 1 0 liJg5 is a relatively recent twist to the line: a) 10 . . . h6 I 1 exf5 ! ? (Previous analysis considered only I 1 liJf3) I I . . . hxg5 1 2 f6 .if8 1 3 fxe7 .ixe7 1 4 lLki5 f5 ( 1 4 . . . .ie6 1 5 c3 liJc6 1 6 "'a4 �f8 1 7 .ie3 �g7 1 8 d4 gave White decent chances against the vulnerable black king, Day-Smirin, Calgary 1 996) 1 5 c3 liJc6 1 6 .a4 .id7 1 7 .id2 left White struggling to justify the pawn deficit in Liechtenstein Welling-J irovsky, 1 999. b) 1 O . . . h5!? 1 1 exf5 f6 1 2 liJge4 .ixf5 1 3 :'f2 :'c8 1 4 h3 .d7 1 5 �h2 d5 1 6 liJd2 .ie6 when Black is a pawn up with few worries, although White held on to the draw in the game Day-Teplinsky, Calgary 1 996. 10

• • •

h6

It is important to know what to do if Black decides to carry on grabbing material with 1 0 . . . liJxc2, thereby taking the knight further away from the kingside. I think, before continuing with the attack, 1 1 l:tb l is a possibility, when 1 1 . . . f4 1 2 liJg5 liJg6 1 3 gxf4 exf4 1 4 .ixf4 gives White good attacking chances. In some sources I I liJg5 ! is recommended, with the idea 1 1 . . . liJg6 ( 1 1 . . . liJxa I ? 1 2 liJxf7 wins or 1 1 . . .l:tf8 1 2 'ti'xh7 .if6 1 3 l:tb l is fine for White) 1 2 exf5

liJxa I 1 3 liJ x f7 �xf7 1 4 fxg6+ winning. 11 An .ie6

In the game Stjazhkina-Aseev, St Petersburg 2000, the strong GM uncorked the novelty 1 1 . . .'6b6 but was soon in trouble. There followed 1 2 exf5 .ixf5 1 3 liJd5 ! (a simple remedy against Black's queen sortie) 1 3 . . . .ig6 (or 1 3 . . . liJxd5 1 4 .ixd5 'ti'c7 1 5 l:txf7 i s winning) 1 4 liJxb6 .ixh5 1 5 liJxa8 �d7 1 6 .ixb7 d 5 1 7 c3 liJf3+ and now, in­ stead of 1 8 �n , White could have won guickly with 1 8 �g2 l:tb8 1 9 .ia6 ttJe I + 20 �fl . 12 .ie3 "'d7 13 l:afl 0-0-0

It makes sense for Black to move the king away from the kingside attack. 14 liJd5

Berg follows the accepted formula of offering to exchange knights and making way for c2-c3-all of which is designed to weaken the defence of the pawn on f5. White also has the pleasant choice of 14 .ixd4, which has a good record. For instance: 1 4 . . . cxd4 1 5 exf5 liJxf5 ( 1 5 . . . .ixf5 1 6 :'xf5 liJxf5 1 7 liJd5 lLlxg3 ! 1 8 hxg3 ! %thf8 1 9 .ie4 gives White compensation for the material based on domination of the white squares and restriction of Black's

80 Main Line 6/4 e5

pieces) 16 ttJd5 ttJe3 ( 1 6 . . . .i.xd5 looks like a viable alternative but 1 7 .i.xd5 ttJe3 1 8 l:txt7 l:thfB 1 9 .g6 wins) 1 7 l:txt7 ! ttJxd5 1 8 l:txd7 l:txd7 1 9 .g6 (White is clearly on top thanks to his material advantage and the fact that Black's pieces lack harmony) 1 9 . . . ne7 20 ttJf2 ttJc7 2 1 .i.h3 d5 (or 2 1 . . . .i.xh3 22 ttJxh3 l:td8 23 l:tt7 l:txt7 24 "'xf7 winning easily) 22 .i.xe6+ ttJxe6 23 ttJg4 ttJd8 24 b4 nhe8 25 b5 e4 26 .f5+ 27 'ili'xd5 and Black was on the verge of resigning in Sale-Psakhis, Portoroz 1 995. 14

. . .

f6

The American creates an escape square for his l ight-squared bishop, which is an attempted improvement on the model game Spassky-Hort, Bugojno 1 978, which went 1 4 . . . fxe4 1 5 ttJxe7+ .xe7 1 6 .i.xd4 cxd4 1 7 l:txt7! "e8 1 8 .i.xe4 l:tfB (White had an easy win by follow­ ing Spassky's example in the game, Neumeier-Pilaj, Austrian Team Ch 2000, where the end was swift after 1 8 . . . l:td7 1 9 .i.f5 l:txf7 20 .i.xe6+ .xe6 2 1 l:txf7 nfB 22 l:txg7 .f6 23 "g4+ �b8 24 ttJf4 ex f4 25 "'d7 1 -0) 1 9 .i.f5 ! .xf7 20 .xf7 l:txt7 2 1 .txe6+ l:tfd7 22 l:tf7 (White steers the game towards an ending where he has a 'good knight' versus ' bad bishop') 22 . . . �c7 23 .i.xd7 l:txd7 24 l:txd7+ 'iti>xd7 25 �g2 �e6 26 �f3 d5 27 �g4 'iti>f6 28 �h5 .i.fB 29 ttJg I b5 30 ttJe2 a5 3 1 g4 a4 32 h4 b4 33 b3 a3 34 ttJg3 e4 35 g5+ hxg5 36 hxg5+ �e6 37 �g4 i.g7? 38 ttJh5 .i.fB 39 g6 e3 40 �f3 f5 4 1 g7 1 -0. I S ttJxe7+ "'xe7 1 6 exfS .i.f7

16 . . . .i.xa2? is made to look silly Iltlcr 1 7 b3, trapping the bishop. 17 "d l

With its job done on the kingside White gets ready to give the queen an attacking role on the other flank after c2-c3 and .d l -a4. 17

• ••

dS 1 8 c3

At last the knight on d4 is obl iged to leave its central outpost and White can get on with the job of pursuing the black king. 1 8 b4!? is also worth investigating, to speed up the attack. For example 1 8 . . . cxb4 19 .i.xd4 exd4 20 "g4 .i.fB 2 1 'ili'xd4 �b8 22 l:tb I with the better chances. 18 ttJc6 19 "a4 �b8 20 b4 cxb4 2 1 l:tbl .d7 • . •

22 l:txb4

The right way to keep the initiat­ ive. The rook cannot be captured as the knight on c6 is tied to the defence of a7. On the other hand, 22 cxb4 d4 23 .i.c 1 ttJe7 24 .xd7 l:txd7 would give Black a superior ending. 22 •c7 22 . . . ttJxb4 runs into 23 "xa7+, which demolishes the pawn shield and gives White a winning position after 23 . . . �c8 24 .a8+ �c7 25 .a5+ �c8 26 cxb4 (the rook on f2 is heading for the c-fiIe) 26 • c6 27 b5 and Black will give up. n l:tfb2 ttJ xb4 • . .

. . .

Main Line 6 /4 e5 81 De Finnian must accept the dire consequences of allowing the white \jueen to invade his camp, otherwise the threat 25 lhb7+ "xb7 26 :xb7+ �xb7 27 c4 is very strong. 24 1ha7+ �cS 25 :xb4 :d6 26 Jil.b6

White is busy cutting down the number of escape squares available to the king. 26 . . ...bS 27 "a5 i.f8 2S c4

dxc4 29 lLln lIh7

29 . . . :d7 30 :b5 i.e7 3 1 dxc4 is good for White. 30 i.a7

Berg could have won quickly with 30 "c5+ �d7 3 1 Wb5+ �e7 32 i.c5. 30 :a6 3 1 1ha6! i.xb4 32 .b6 .d6 • . .

32 . . .•a8 solves the immediate problem but the queen would look a sorry sight and could only look on helplessly while Black is slowly crushed.

33 .xb7+ �dS 34 lLle4 .d7 35 .bS+ .cS 36 i.b6+ �d7 37 lLlxf6+ �e7 1-0

After suffering a number of stun­ ning defeats, it is hardly surprising that Black has turned to other moves to combat White's system. A good choice is 7 . . . exf4 and the next game looks at how Black copes with 8 lLlxf4, which prepares to install a knight on d5. Spassky-Sax

Reykjavik 1 988 1 e4 c5 2 lLlc3 lLlc6 3 g3 g6 4 i.g2 i.g7 5 d3 d6 6 f4 e5 7 lLlh3 exf4

This is probably the best way for Black to avoid a future f4-f5.

S lLlxf4

Spassky takes with the knight, al­ though there is some debate about how best to recapture the pawn. It is clear that White dominates the d5 square and can, occupy it with one of his knights; also the semi-open f-fiIe will be available to the king's rook after castling. But Black too has some plus points in his strong bishop on g7 and the fact that the d5 square can be covered by . . . lLlge7 with a subsequent fianchetto of the queen's bishop. The alternative recapture, 8 i.xf4, is discussed in the next illustrative game while 8 gxf4? can be dismissed due to 8 . . . i.xh3 9 i.xh3 .h4+ and Black wins a piece. S lLlge7 9 0-0 0-0 10 i. e3 Spassky sensibly gets on with de­ veloping his pieces. The relative lack of success for White in the line has led to a variety of moves being tried at this juncture. For instance: a) 1 0 g4! ? (nobody has dared to repeat this idea which involves a weakening of the kingside pawn structure) 1 0 . . . h6 (perhaps 1 0 . . . lLle5 ! ? should be considered) I I h3 lIb8 1 2 i.e3 b5 1 3 .l:.b 1 b4 1 4 lLlcd5 lLlxd5 1 5 lLlxd5 i.e6 1 6 'ii'd2 and White had a slight initiative in Sale-Teofilovic, Croatian Team Ch 1 994. . • •

82 Main Line 6 [4 e5 b) 1 0 �cd5 ( 1 0 �fd5 transposes after 1 0 . . . �xd5 11 �xd5) 1 0 . . . tiJxd5 I I �xd5 i.e6 1 2 �f4 :.iI..d 7 1 3 c3 b5 1 4 .te3 �e5 1 5 h3 1:.b8 and now: b I ) 1 6 b3 b4 I 7 d4 �c6 1 8 l:tc I bxc3 19 dxc5 'ir'a5 20 'ir'xd6 l:tfd8 2 1 �d5 gave White the advantage in Bastian-Schuh, Gennan Team Ch 1 985. b2) 1 6 1:.f2 b4 1 7 c4? ! (a compro­ mise that surrenders the d4 square to Black) 1 7 . . . a5 1 8 b3 �c6 1 9 l:tb l .te6 20 �e2 'ii'b6 2 1 'it'd2 a4 ! (the closed nature of the position allows Black to increase the pressure on the queenside without worrying about kingside play) 22 :d l axb3 23 axb3 �d4 and Black had the better chances, Donev-Spiridonov, Pol­ dolsk 1 984. c) 1 0 �h l �e5 I 1 i.e3 b5 1 2 a3 ( 1 2 �xb5 l:tb8 allows Black to cap­ ture on b2, while 1 3 �xa7? i.g4 1 4 'it'd2 'itb6 traps the white knight) 1 2 . . . l:tb8 1 3 'it'd2 a5 1 4 h3 b4 1 5 axb4 axb4 1 6 �ce2 .tb7 1 7 b3 l:ta8 with equal chances, Roos­ Spiridonov, French Team Ch 1 997. 10 . . . l:tb8 1 1 a3

In the game Spassky-Franco, Buenos Aires 1 979, White tried I I 'it'd2 when Black carried on with the usual queenside pawn expansion. There followed 1 1 . . . b5 1 2 a3 a5 1 3 l:tab l ( 1 3 h 3 b4 1 4 axb4 axb4 1 5 �d l �d4 Y2-Y2 Balashov-Kharlov, Tomsk 200 1 ) 1 3 . . . b4 1 4 �cd5 �xd5 1 5 �xd5 ,te6 1 6 �t� �d7 1 7 c3 with roughly equal chances. 1 1 . . .�e5

The fact that there is no enemy pawn on f4 means that the e5 square is a perfect outpost for the queen's knight.

12 �hl b6 1 3 'ir'e2 .tb7 14 g4 Ct )7c6 1 5 h3 'it'd7 1 6 'it'fl �e7 1 7 'it'�3 h8 1 8 l:tfl bS 1 9 l:tan

Spassky has shifted his pieces to the kingside in preparation for an attack. However, if Black is careful it is not obvious how White can break through. 1 9. . . a5 20 i.cl b4 2 1 axb4 axb4 22 �cd5

22 lDd l has been suggested as a possible improvement but 22 . . . 1:.a8, intending . . . Aa I , is at least equal.

22 . . . �xd5 23 exd5 l:tfe8 24 .te4 b3 25 c3 c4 26 dxc4 �xc4 27 .tg2 .ta6 28 l:td l l:te7 Yz-Yz

The next encounter looks at 8 .txf4. A.Gurevich-Duchov

Russian Team Ch 1 993 I e4 cS 2 �c3 �c6 3 g3 g6 4 .tg2 .tg7 S d3 d6 6 f4 e5 7 lll h3 exf4 8 J.xf4

Main Line 6 /4 e5 83 The advantage of taking on f4 with the bishop is that White is pres­ ented with the simple plan of 'ii'd2 and .i.h6, exchanging off Black's key defensive bishop on g7. 8

• . .

ltJge7 9 0-0 h6

Black is wary of allowing White to exchange bishops by .i.h6 and puts a stop to it. Not everyone thinks that this is so critical and 9 . . . 0-0 is also seen. After 1 0 'ii'd2 play might continue: a) 1 O . . . ltJeS 1 1 .lth6 ltJ7c6 ( 1 1 ltJf2 .i.e6 is supposed to be equal but 1 2 h4, getting ready to open the h-tile for the king's rook, might give Black a fright) 1 2 .i.xg7 �xg7 1 3 ltJf4 ltJd4 1 4 ltJce2 ltJxe2+ I S 'ii'xe2 .i.g4 1 6 'ii'd2 ltJc6 1 7 ltJdS 1'6 1 8 l:tf2, intending to double rooks on the kingside, gave White an edge in Schlesinger-Schuster, Griesheim 2000. b) 1 O . . . b6 1 1 .i.h6 ltJd4 ] 2 l:tf2 (the middlegame plan of doubling rooks is a natural choice for anyone who regularly plays this line) 1 2 . . . J..b 7 1 3 .i.xg7 �xg7 14 ltJf4 ltJe6 I S l:taft ltJxf4 1 6 l:txf4 'ii'd 7 1 7 .i.h3 ! 'ii'e 8 ( 1 7 . . .'ii'x h3 runs into 1 8 l:th4, intending 'ii'h6+) 1 8 .i.e6! fxe6 1 9 .l:txfS 'ii'x fS 20 l:txfS l:txfS 2 1 ltJbS dS 22 'ii'gS ltJc6 23 exdS exdS 24 'ii'xdS l:tfS 2S 'ii'g2 l:tf6 26 ltJc7 l:t17 27 ltJe8+ 1 -0 as played in Shchekachev-Mezentsev, Russian Ch ] 992. c) 1 O ... J..x h3? ! (Black gains little from this exchange but it does give White a strong light-squared bishop) 1 1 J..x h3 a6 1 2 .i.h6 bS 1 3 .i.xg7 �xg7 1 4 l:tf4 (as usual in this line White is able to increase his attack by doubling rooks on the semi-oyen f-file) 1 4 . . . b4 I S l:th4 hS 1 6 ltJe2 ltJg8 1 7 l:tft ltJh6 1 8 ltJf4 l:th8 1 9 ltJdS ltJe7 20 ltJf6 ltJeg8 2 1 l:thf4 allowed White to exert strong

pressure in Donev-Herzog. Bad Ragaz 1 992. 10 'ii'd 2 A logical idea to prevent Black from castling kingside by targeting the h6 pawn. Spassky-Portisch, Candidates, Geneva 1 977, saw White takes steps to curb a queen­ side advance with 1 0 l:tb I before gradually improving the pieces on the kingside: 1 0 . . . 0-0 1 1 a3 (in preparation for . . . b7-bS) 1 1 . . . .i.e6 1 2 J..e 3 ltJeS 1 3 ltJf4 .ltd7 1 4 'it>h I l:tc8 I S 'ii'd2 h7 1 6 h3 J..c6 1 7 g4 'ii'd 7 1 8 l:tf2 b6 ( 1 8 . . . bS is well met by Forintos' suggestion of 1 9 b4) 1 9 Ubfl J..b 7 20 We2 l:tce8 2 1 J..c I 'it>g8 22 'ii'e 3 bS 23 'ii'g3 (one should note the similarity of this position with that after White's 1 9th move in the previous main game)

23 . . . b4?! (23 . . . aS!? maintains the tension by not weakening Black's queenside pawn structure) 24 axb4 cxb4 25 �1 d5 26 d4 ltJSc6 27 exd5 ltJxd4 2 8 c4 bxc3 29 bxc3 lLlb3 30 .i.a3 l:tc8 3 1 c4 ltJaS 32 l:te2 l:tfe8 33 l:tfe I J..fS 34 ltJh5 lLlxdS 3S cxdS gxhS 36 gxhS+ .i.g7 37 J..b2 f6 38 J..x f6 lhe2 39 Uxe2 'ii'17 40 l:te6 1 -0. 10

• . .

g5

Black compromises his pawn structure to deal with the nuisance of the attack on the h6 pawn.

84 Main Line 6/4 e5 Other moves: a) 1 0 . . . ltJd4 (the problem of plac­ ing the knight on d4 is that it can be relatively easily ousted by c2-c3) 1 1 It'lds �g4 1 2 :'ae I �e6 1 3 c3 It'ldc6 14 �e3 ltJeS I S ltJhf4 �d7 1 6 ltJxe7 the7 1 7 ltJdS .d8 1 8 �t� when the threat of d3-d4 gave White an edge in Nabiev­ Bolschakov, Moscow 2000. b) 1 0 . . . �e6 I I a3 (a waiting move that puts Black otT from advancing the queenside pawns) 1 1 . . ...d7 1 2 ltJf2 gS 1 3 �e3 �e5 1 4 :'ae I ltJd4 I S ltJdS �xdS 1 6 exdS "a4 1 7 b 3 ( 1 7 c 3 looks inter-­ esting when 1 7 . . . ltJc2 1 8 "d l bS 1 9 l:te2 ltJxe3 20 1i'xa4 bxa4 2 1 l:txe3 favours White) 1 7 . . ...d7 1 8 .d l ltJdfS 1 9 �xcS ! "c7 ( 1 9 . . . �xg3 seems to win a pawn back but 20 ltJe4 ! shortens the game after 20 . . . �eS 2 1 l:txfS 1i'xfS { 2 1 . . . ltJx f5 22 ltJf6+. wins the queen} 22 ltJxd6+ �xd6 23 �xd6 and White wins) 20 iLb4 and White had an extra pawn in Medina Garcia­ Pavlov, Torremolinos 1 977. c) 10 . . . nb8 ( it makes sense for Black to distract White from his kingside ambitions by preparing an advance of the queenside pawns) I I "'h i bS 1 2 a3 gS 1 3 �e3 as 1 4 l:tae I b4 I S axb4 axb4 1 6 ltJd I �e6 1 7 ltJg I ltJeS 1 8 ltJO with equal chances, Medina Garcia-Gheorghiu, Torremolinos 1 976. d) 10 . . . ltJeS 1 1 �h l �e6 1 2 l:tae l "d7 1 3 ltJt2 gS 1 4 �e3 b S (as usual, Black creates queenside play by pushing the b-pawn) I S b3 (perhaps I S a3 ! ? should be considered) I S . . . b4 1 6 ltJe2 ltJ7c6 1 7 d4 cxd4 1 8 ltJxd4 ltJxd4 1 9 i.. xd4 l:tc8 20 ltJd I 0-0 2 1 ltJe3 as 22 l:te2 �S Yr Y2 Roos-Sindik, Kecskemet 1 979. 1 1 i..e3

1 1 . . . �e6

Another idea for Black is to get the king into safety by I I . . . 0-0 and then decide how to respond to White's set-up. 1 2 ltJf2 (better than 1 2 h I when Black had no problems after 1 2 . . . ltJeS 1 3 ltJf2 �e6 14 a3 nc8 I S ltJdS fS, Mihal incic-Lakos, Croatian Team Ch 2000) 1 2 . . . ltJd4 1 3 g4 (if White is given enough time he will exploit the vacant g3 square by the ma­ noeuvre ltJh l -g3) 1 3 . . . �e6 14 h3 dS I S exdS ltJxdS 1 6 ltJxdS �xdS 1 7 ltJe4 b6 1 8 c3 ttJc6 19 nfS (the threat is 20 lhdS "xdS 2 1 ltJf6+ winnin.g) 1 9 . . . �e6 20 l:tf2 ttJeS 2 I l:td 1 We7 22 ltJg3 l:tad8 23 �e4 ltJxd3 24 �xd3 c4 2S �d4 cxd3 26 "xd3 �xd4 27 cxd4 "d7?! 28 l:tf6 "e7 29 l:tdfl "d7 30 l:td I 1i'e7 3 1 ltJhS l:tdS 32 l:txh6 fS 33 l:te I l:td6 34 dS led to victory in S.Pedersen1.Kristiansen, Danish Team Ch 1 999. Instead, 1 1 . . . ttJeS can be met by 1 2 ltJf2 0-0 1 3 h4 with roughly equal chances. 1 2 ltJf2 ltJg6 13 l:tae I 0-0 14 ltJe2

1 4 ttJds is also possible.

14

• . •

ltJgeS

If 1 4 . . . �xb2 then I S l:tb l �g7 1 6 l:txb7 restores the material balance. I S b3 "d7 1 6 c3

White prepares to kick away the eS knight with d3-d4.

Main Line 6/4 e5 85 16 . . .liJg6 17 d4 cxd4 18 cxd4 dS

1 9 e5 An immediate 19 h4 is also poss­ ible and after 1 9 . . . gxh4 20 �xh6 h3 2 1 .tfJ dxe4 22 .txe4 l:.ad8 Black has pressure on d4, thereby reducing White's advantage to a minimum. 19 . . .liJge7

19 . . . to ! ? is a stemer defence although 20 liJd3 offers White some promising chances. 20 h4 gxh4 21 .txh6 h3 22 �xg7

Also good is 22 liJxh3 when play might continue 22 . . . .txh3 23 �xg7 �xg7 24 "g5+ liJg6 25 liJf4 .d8 26 liJh5+ �h7 27 liJf6+ �g7 28 �xh3 liJxd4 29 �g2 winning. 22

• . •

�xg7

Or 22 . . . hxg2 allows White to give away pieces and win in style with 23 �f6 gxfl ..+ 24 1:txfl liJf5 25 .g5+ �h7 26 �g2 liJe3+ 27 �h2 tiJf5 28 l:th 1 liJcxd4 29 �g2+ liJh6 30 l:txh6 mate. =

23 .gS+ liJg6

24

• . .

h2+

Duchov assumes that it is a lost cause and allows his position to fall apart without a tight. It would be interesting to see what White had planned against 24 . . . hxg2 ! when Black can hope to stay alive after 25 liJh5 + �h7 26 liJf6+ �g7 27 liJxd7 gxfl =-.+ 28 l:txfl .txd7. The game concluded: 25 'it'h l -.e7 26 liJh5+ �h7 27 liJf6+ �g7 28 liJh5+ White repeats moves to save time on the clock. 28 . . . �h7 29 liJf6+ 'it'g7 30 4ld3 l:th8 3 1 liJf4 l:tad8 3 1 . . J:th6 does not help Black after 32 l:tc I , intending l:txc6 to eliminate the defender of the black queen and follow up with liJfh5+, 32 . . . "d8 33 liJ4h5+ l:txh5 34 liJxh5+ �h7 35 l:tf6. 32 liJ6hS+ �g8 33 liJf6+ �g7

34 liJxe6+ "xe6 35 liJh5+ l:txh5 36 "xh5 liJxd4 37 "g5 37 :f6 ! ?

makes i t even easier for White: 37 . . . "e8 38 l:tefl :d7 39 .i.xd5 l:txd5 40 l:txf7+ "xf7 4 1 l:txf7+ �xf7 42 Wh7+ �e6 43 .xg6+ �xe5 44 .g7+ �d6 45 "xb7 wins.

37 . . .:d7 38 :f6 "e8 39 .i.h3 l:te7 40 l:td6 liJc6 41 "f6+ �h6 42 "h4+ 42 e6 ! finishes off the oppo­ nent. 42 . . . �g7 43 .f6+ �h6 44 :xd5 Once again 44 e6 is the

shorter path; then 44 . . . -.h8 45 "xh8+ liJxh8 46 �xh2 wins. 44

. . •

:xe5 45 :dxe5 liJcxe5 46 l:te4

Threatening mate with 47 l:th4.

24 liJf4?

In an effort to force checkmate, White tries to be too clever. A better idea is to transpose back into the note to White's 22nd move. For instance: 24 liJxh3 �xh3 25 liJf4 "d8 26 liJh5+ �h7 27 liJf6+ �g7 28 �xh3 liJxd4 29 �g2 with a clear advantage.

46 . . ...c6 47 "xc6 liJxc6 48 'it>xh2 �g5 49 �g2 liJge5 50 1:f4 f5 5 1 .i.xc6 liJxc6 5 2 �g2 a 6 53 'it' f3 �f6 54 �e3 �e5 SS l:th4 b6 S6 l:thS liJe7 57 g4 as S8 �d3 1 -0

Are there any opening tricks if Black refrains from developing the kingside? Judging by this masterful display by Short, the answer is yes. It is worth noting that Short prefers the flexible approach with 7 liJf3 .

86 Main Line 6 [4 e5 Short-Nataf

Istanbul Olympiad 2000 1 e4 c5 2 �c3 �c6 3 g3 g6 4

�g2 �g7 5 d3 d6 6 f4 e5 7 �f3 One has to take notice when a fonner world title challenger chooses to employ this particular system. The knight on f3 has the merit of being more centrally placed, which gives White extra possibilities. 7

. . .

l:tb8?!

After the game Nigel said that an early ... e5 and ... l:tb8 do not mix well: "a bit like coca-cola and champagne." The motivation behind the rook move is logical enough: Black wants to advance the b-pawn while keeping his options open by delaying castling. In the past Black has frequently played this move and usually got away with it-even though it seems to be flawed. The original move-order was I e4 c5 2 �c3 �c6 3 g3 g6 4 �g2 �g7 5 d3 l:tb8 6 f4 d6 7 �f3 e5 but to make it more in keeping with the chapter I have sl ightly changed it. 8 0-0 ttJge7

developed on the kingside which allows White more attacking chances. Other moves do not impress: a) 9 �h4 (White chooses a slow way to organise the f4-fS advance) 9 . . . �d4 (Or 9 . . . fS 1 0 exf5 �xfS 1 1 �xf5 �xfS 1 2 fxe5 �xe5? ! 1 3 l:txf5 ! gxf5?! { 1 3 . . . �xc3 1 4 Itn gives White an edge} 14 "ikh5 + wins) 1 0 fxe5 dxe5 I 1 �g5 "ikd6 1 2 �xe7 "ikxe7 1 3 �d5 'ji'd6 1 4 c3 �c6 1 5 a3 0-0 1 6 b4 �e7 (the chances are roughly equal but now White plays riskily on the queen­ side) 1 7 'ji'a4 a6 1 8 'ji'a5?! (the queen is misplaced on the edge of the board) 1 8 . . .�xd5 19 exd5 b5 20 bxc5 "ikxc5+ 2 1 'ith I �b7 22 c4 e4! 23 Itac l �h6 and Black had a clear advantage in Turner-Tkachiev, Oakham 1 994. b) 9 �e3 �d4 1 0 �h l 0-0 I I 'ji'd2 b5 1 2 a3 a5 1 3 .ig l ! ? ( 1 3 l:tae I looks consistent although 1 3 . . . b4 14 axb4 axb4 1 5 �d l b3! is slightly better for Black) 13 . . . exf4 1 4 gxf4 b4 1 5 axb4 axb4 1 6 �d l 'ji'c7 with equal chances, Thorhallsson-Arnason, Icelandic Ch 1 989. 9

•••

gxfS 10 �h4 �d4

Continuing his exchanging policy by 1 0 . . . fxe4 would merely open the f-fiIe for White's king's rook. For instance: 1 1 'ji'h5 �e6 1 2 �xe4 h6 1 3 .i.h3 ! �xh3 ( 1 3 . . . 'ji'd7 1 4 �xe6 'ji'xe6 1 5 l:txf7! ) 1 4 l:txf7 �g4 1 5 l:txe7++ 'itxe7 1 6 "ikxg4 is winning. 1 1 exf5 f6

1 1 . . .�exf5? runs into 1 2 �5 and Black will lose material. 9 f5 !

Short spots the chance to make the classic f4-f5 advance. The tempo spent on the extra rook move means that Black is not so well

12 �d5 �xd5

A sad necessity for Black who will now have problems castling. Indeed. he would like to play 1 2 . . . 0-0 here, but the strength of White's position is revealed upon

Main Line 6 /4 e5 87 13 ttJxe7+ "xe7 1 4 c3 ttJc6 1 5 *'b3+ ( 1 5 ttJg6 is a tlashy win) 15 . . . �h8 1 6 .i.xc6 and the b-pawn IS pinned, leaving White with an extra piece. 13 .i.xd5

Short shows his class. Having tied up Black on the kingside he now shifts his attention to undermining the other tlank. 22.. . .i.h6

A desperate pawn sacrifice to stir up complications. However. this is hardly surprising considering that that the obvious 22 . . . b5? fails to 23 .i.xf7 "xf7 24 .i.xc5+ g8 25 Wxf7+ xf7 26 l:tad l �e7 27 .i.xa7 and Black can resign.

23 .i.xh6+ ttJxh6 24 axb6 axb6 25 �xb6 g7 26 "a7 �fS

The bishop on d5 is a monster that prevents castling and ensures that the black king remains in the centre of the board. Now Short has the immediate threat of 'ifh5+ and a longer-term aim of opening the position and getting at the hapless king. Nataf tries to hold on but it is a difficult task when he has so little room to manoeuvre and his king prevents the co-ordination of his rooks. 13 . . ...e7 14 a4 �d7 1 5 e3

A typical idea which forces the knight to retreat and prepares d3-d4.

15 . . . ttJe6 16 .i.e3 ltJd8 17 d4 ttJfi 18 dxe5 dxe5 1 9 "b3 b6

With his knight manoeuvre, Nataf has managed to block the a2-g8 diagonal but still cannot castle since this would be destroyed by 20 ttJg6! when 20 . . . hxg6 2 1 fxg6 �e8 2 2 "d 1 intends 23 "h5 and mate. 20 l:[ad 1 l:1d8

Of course, Black has to defend against the threat 2 1 �xf7+ "xf7 22 'itxf7+ �xf7 23 1:txd7+. 2 1 l:td2 fS 22 a5

27 .i.e4?!

Short later pointed out that the simplest win is 27 .i.e6 ! , steering the game towards a winning ending. For example: 27 . . . �e8 28 'ihe7+ �xe7 29 l:txd8 �xd8 30 l:[a l �c7 3 1 l:.a8 and White has a grip on the black pieces and is a pawn up. The text is also sufficient to win but the task takes some time. The game concluded: 27 . . . ttJfi 28 l:[fd l �e8

29 �xe7+ �xe7 30 1:txd8 ttJxd8 3 1 ltJg2 �a4 3 2 l:td2 ltJ fi 3 3 ltJe3 ltJd6 34 ttJd5+ �fi 35 ttJxf6 ttJe4 36 �d5+ �xf6 37 .i.xe4 �xf5 38 �f2 h5 39 b3 �e6 40 l:td6 � h l 4 1 h 3 l:t fS 42 �e3 �g5 43 h4+ �g4 44 l:tg6+ �h3 45 �e2 l:[b8 46 .i.dl �d5 47 e4 �fi 48 l:tg5 l:.b4 49 e4 �e6 50 l:txh5 �xg3 5 1 �xe5 .i.xe4 52 l:1g5+ �h3 53 bxe4 l:.xe4 54 h5 �h4 55 :g l 1-0

88 Main Line 6 14 e5 With a knight on f3, the assump­ tion is that the attacking device of f4-fS is not so effective because the king's rook is obscured. However, the following heavyweight encounter suggests that White can just sacrifice and gain good play. Markowski-Smirln

Saint Vincent 2000

1 e4 cS 2 �c3 �c6 3 g3 g6 4 �g2 �g7 S d3 d6 6 f4 eS 7 �f3 �ge7

I have used the normal move­ order but the game in fact went 1 g3 g6 2 �g2 �g7 3 e4 cS 4 d3 �c6 S f4 d6 6 ttJO eS 7 �c3 �ge7. 8 0-0 0-0

Black had a strong central knight, giving him an edge. Also possible is the waiting move 9 l:lb I although it did not bring any dividends to White in Murioz-Milligan, Istanbul Olympiad 2000. That game went 9 . . . l:lb8 I 0 �e3 �d4 1 1 �e2 �e6 1 2 c4 bS 1 3 b3 b4 (Black has more space although 1 3 . . . bxc4 looks a superior choice upon 1 4 dxc4 �xc4! I S �fxd4 exd4 1 6 bxc4 l:txb 1 1 7 'ii'x b I dxe3 with the better position) 14 "'d2 �xf3+ I S 1:txf3 Wc7 1 6 h3 fS 1 7 �h2 l:lbd8 1 8 l:lftl �c8 1 9 �f3 �b7 20 g4?! (20 l:tbe I is an improvement and leads to roughly equal chances) 20 . . . fxe4 2 1 dxe4 exf4 22 �xf4 �c8 and Black eventually won after SO moves. However, quicker was 22 . . . dS! 23 cxdS i.eS 24 i.g2 gS and the pinned knight is lost. 9 gxfS 10 �h4 This is the point of White's play. The king's rook is poised to take a more active role and play will focus on White trying to create attacking chances based on his control of the white squares on the kingside. . • .

10

95 The f-pawn is advanced in an effort to break up Black's kingside defensive barrier. It is also clear where Short found his inspiration for the previous main game. The main alternative 9 �e3 is discussed in the next game. In Movsesian­ Topalov, Spanish Team Ch 1 999, White tried a novelty with 9 ltJh8 1 8 ttJg5 when the threat of ttJt7+ gave White a winning position. 1 0 . . . �g4 is dis­ cussed in the next game. A young

Main Line 6 /4 e5 9/ Karpov had to cope with 1 0 . . . ltJec6 against Steinberg at Leningrad 1 969 and was soon on top after I I �ab I i.g4 1 2 ltJdS (the middlegame plan of preparing c2-c3 is ea�y to follow) 12 . . . lLle7 1 3 ltJxe7+ "xe7 1 4 c3 exf4 I S .i.xf4 ltJxf3+ 1 6 .i.xf3 .i.e6 1 7 b3 �ae8 1 8 �be l b6 1 9 d4 and White's space advantage gave him the better chances. 1 1 .i.xf4

The pawn is taken with the bishop in order to keep open the option of i.f4-h6, to exchange dark-squared bishops. Instead 1 1 gxf4, to facilitate an eventual f4-fS, has not reaJly worked wel l in practice. For example: 1 1 . . . fS 1 2 �ab l �h8 1 3 -.f2 ( 1 3 b4 !? should be considered) 1 3 . . . 4Jec6 1 4 ltJdS ltJxf3+ I S .i.xf3 .ie6 16 c3 "d7 1 7 �h l �ae8 1 8 �bd I b6 and Black had a solid position with the brighter prospects ill D.Ledger-King, British Team Ch (4NCL) 2000. I I . .. ltJ xf3+ 1.Houska-Kouvatsou, Istanbul Olympiad 2000, saw Black try I I . . . dS. After 1 2 ltJxd4 .i.xd4+ 1 3 �h I .ie6 1 4 .i.gS f6 I S .i.h6 �f7 1 6 ltJe2 dxe4 17 ltJf4 .i.d7?! ( 1 7 . . . e3! 1 8 ltJxe6 exd2 1 9 ltJxd8 �xd8 20 .i.xd2 is equal) 1 8 dxe4 "e8 1 9 c3 .i.eS 20 ttJd3 .i.d6 2 1 eS! fxeS 22 �xf7 'iWxf7 23 ltJxeS 'iWe6 24 ltJxd7 'iWxd7 2S 11d l �d8 26 .it:t ltJfS 27 g4 wmnmg. Instead 1 1 . . . .i.g4 failed to make much of an impact in Fahnenschmidt-Gauglitz, German Team Ch 1 994. That game went 1 2 ltJxd4 (with the bishop no longer on e3 this exchan�e is poss­ ible) 1 2 . . . cxd4?! ( 1 2 . . . .i.xd4+ 1 3 .i.e3 .i.g7 1 4 .i.h6 with a slight edge) 13 ltJbS a6 1 4 ltJxd6 s? I S ltJxb7 'ii'b6 1 6 .i.d6 "xb7 1 7 "xgS .i.e2 1 8 eS with a winning game. 12 �xf3

There is an argument for 1 2 .i.xf3 if a rapid doubling of rooks on the f-file is awkward to achieve. Play might then continue: a) 12 . . . .i.e6 1 3 l:tae I ltJc6 1 4 .i.g2 "d7 I S .i.h6 with equal chances. Murariu-Parligras, Baile Tusnad 1 999. b) 1 2 . . . ltJc6 1 3 .i.g2 ltJd4 1 4 �ae I .i.e6 I S ltJdS "d7 1 6 c 3 ltJc6 1 7 .i.gS .i.xdS 1 8 exdS with a slight edge for White in Masternak­ Perdek, Polish Team Ch 1 995. 12 . . .'ii'b6 !

A good move by Kramllik who, with a threat to the b2-pawn, wishes to distract White from doubling rooks on the f-fiIe. 12 . . . .i.e6 allows White to pursue kingside attacking chances. For instance: 1 3 .i.h6 ltJc6 14 .i.xg7 �xg7 I S l:afl (White has managed to double the rooks and has a slight initiative) I S . . . 'iWe7 1 6 �f4 �ad8 1 7 ltJd I dS 1 8 exdS .ixdS 19 �e I "d6 20 .i.xdS "xdS 2 1 ltJc3 'iWd7 22 ltJe4 with roughly equal play, Smyslov-Tal, Leningrad 1 962. 1 3 l:tbl .i.e6 14 .i.h6 Adams chooses to exchange the g7 bishop which is usuaJly a key defensive piece. At this juncture there is 3 difference of opinion on how best to proceed: a) 1 4 .i.gS !? ltJc6 I S .i.e3 ( I S 11ff1 is also possible) I S . . . ltJeS 1 6 �m ltJg4 1 7 .i.f4 c4+ 1 8 �h 1 cxd3 1 9 cxd3 .i.d4! (the threat of . . . ltJf2.+ will force White to give up the bishop pair) 20 h3 ltJe3 2 1 �fe 1 ltJxg2 22 �xg2 "c6 23 .i.e3 .i.h8 24 �bc l "d7 2S �h2 36 (if 2S . . . .i.xh3 then 26 ltJdS ! gives White decent compensation upon 26 . . . 11ac8 27 .i.gS) 26 "g2 �ac8 when Black had the better prospects in Larsen-Portisch, Rotterdam 1 977.

92 Main Line 6 /4 e5 b) 1 4 .i.e3 ttJc6 I S l:tffl ( it is probably best to co-ordinate the rooks at once rather than try to double on the f-fiIe) I S . . . ttJd4 1 6 a3 l:tac8 1 7 ttJd 1 ( intending c3 to oust the d4 knight) 1 7 . . . .i.a2 1 8 l:ta 1 .i.e6 1 9 l:tb I J..a 2 20 l:ta I Y2-Y2 A. Ledger-Emms, British Team Ch l4NCL) 2000. 14 . . J:tae8 'it>hl f6

15 J.. x g7 �xg7

16

Kramnik has enough time to deny White access to the f6 square, in case 'ir'gS should be contemplated. 17 a3 d5 18 b4

One of the features of the Closed is that White can often create play on the queenside by advancing the b-pawn.

18 . . . cxb4 19 l:txb4 .c7 20 ttJb5 'ii'd 7 21 ttJd4

If 2 1 ttJxa7 then 2 1 . . . dxe4 22 l:te3 (22 l:txe4 .i.dS wins) 22 . . . b6! (22 . . . ttJds 23 l:td4 saves White's rooks) 23 l:txb6 ttJdS gives Black the better position.

2 1 . . . .i.g8 22 l:te3 ttJc6 23 ttJxc6 'it'xc6 24 h4

Adams gives his king an escape square in case of any back rank checks.

24 . . . b6 25 �h2 "c5 26 d4 'it'd6 27 exd5 .i.xd5 28 .i.xd5 "xd5

ambitions are handicapped by his exposed king. The game concluded:

29 c4 ..n 30 d5 l:[xe3 31 "xe3 l:te8 32 .d3 'ike7 33 l:tb2 "el 34 .d2 .xd2+ 34 . . . 'ikn intending . . . l:te 1 is also possible. 35 l:txd2 �n 36 a4 l:te4 37 a5 Better than 37

l:tc2 l:td4 38 cS l:txdS 39 c6 l:td8 40 c7 l:tc8 when the c-pawn is stopped and Black is better. 37 . . . l:txc4 38

axb6 axb6 39 l:tb2 l:td4 40 l:txb6 l:[xd5 41 l:tb7+ �g8 42 �g2 h5 43 'it>f3 l:te5 44 l:ta7 �f8 45 l:tb7 l:te7 46 l:tb6 �f7 47 :a6 l:td7 48 l:tb6 �e7 49 l:ta6 l:td6 50 l:ta5 �e6 5 1 l:ta3 �e5 52 l:te3+ 'it>f5 53 l:ta3 l:td5 54 l:te3 g5 55 hxg5 fxg5 56 l:ta3 g4+ 57 'it>e3 l:te5+ 58 �f2 l:tc5 59 l:ta4 l:tc2+ 60 �gl l:te2 6 1 �fl l:td2 62 �g 1 �e5 63 l:ta5+ l:td5 64 l:ta4 l:td l+ 65 �f2 l:td2+ 66 �g l 'it>f5 67 l:tf4+ �e5 68 l:ta4 l:td4 69 l:ta5+ �e4 70 l:txh5 �O 7 1 l:ta5 l:td l + 72 �h2 lld2+ 73 �g l l:tg2+ 74 � h l l:te2 7 5 � g l �xg3 76 l:ta3+ �f4 7 7 l:tb3 g3 78 ll b 8 'h-Yl

A good example of how prec ise play by Black can neutralise White's attacking prospects is presented by the next game. Shorl-Nalaf

FIDE-World Ch, New Delhi 2000 1 e4 c5 2 ttJc3 ttJc6 3 g3 g6 4 .i.g2 .ig7 5 d3 e5 6 f4 d6 7 ttJO ttJge7 8 0-0 0-0

An improvement on a previous example in this chapter when Short demolished Natafs 8 . . . l:tb8. 9 .ie3 ttJd4 10 'ikd2 .i.g4

White has some practical chances thanks to the passed d-pawn but his

The latest fashion. Black activates his queen's bishop and is prepared to exchange it in order to reduce White's forthcoming attack.

Main Line 6 f4 e5 93

1 1 An Short opts to double rooks on the k ingside. Black must be prepared for a variety of replies: a) 1 1 liJgS?! f6 1 2 h3 fxgS 1 3 hxg4 gxf4 1 4 gxf4 exf4 I S �xf4 -.d7 1 6 liJe2? ( 1 6 gS bS is a bit better for Black) 1 6 . . . -'xg4 1 7 lDxd4 i.xd4+ 1 8 i.e3 "gS ! (the pin is very strong) 19 Aae I l::tx fl + 20 xfl llf8+ 2 1 'it>g l llO 0- 1 Flower-Williams, London 2000. b) 1 1 liJd l (this is designed to facilitate c2-c3 but it loses control over the dS square) 1 1 . . . .i.xO 1 2 i.xO exf4 1 3 �xf4 liJxO+ 1 4 llxO dS! led to easy equality in Blatny­ Adamcik, Moravian Team Ch 1 999. c) 1 1 fxeS (releasing the tension in the centre to make sure i.e3-h6 is possible) I I . . .dxeS 1 2 1:[f2 llc8 1 3 i.h6 f6 (defending the e-pawn and blockading the f-file) 1 4 i.e3 "'d7 I S b3 bS (now that the kingside defence has been sorted out Black gives a text book example of how to handle queenside counterplay) 1 6 a4 a6 1 7 llm Afd8 1 8 "f2 i.e6 1 9 Afd I liJec6 20 axbS axbS 2 1 h4 liJb4 22 liJe 1 Aa8 when Black had the initiative in Flecker-T.Horvath, Wattens 1 999. d) 1 1 liJh4 is the main alternative when play might continue: d l ) 1 1 . . ....d7 1 2 fS ! ? gxf5 1 3 .i.h6 liJg6 1 4 i.xg7 �xg7 I S h3

liJxh4 16 gxh4 f4 1 7 hxg4 "'xg4 1 8 Af2 �h8 1 9 liJdS "xh4 20 c3 liJe6 2 1 �fl liJgS 22 'it>e2 "hS+ 23 'it>e 1 1'S 24 "e2 'iWh6 2S �O fxe4 26 dxe4 Ag8 27 �d2 and the white king is safe, guaranteeing a clear advantage. Todorcevic-Velikov, Marseilles 1 990. d2) 1 1 . . . exf4 ( the pawns are ex­ changed to avoid the potential prob­ lem of f4-fS) 1 2 i.xf4 ( 1 2 llxf4 i.e6 1 3 Af2, intending to double rooks on the f-file, is another idea) 1 2 . . . bS ( Black advances the b-pawn -the traditional way to create queenside play) \ 3 i.gS f6 14 i.e3 ( 1 4 �h6? i.xh6 I S 'iWxh6 liJxc2 wins a pawn) 14 . . ...d7 I S liJd l llae8 1 6 c3 liJdc6 1 7 liJf2 i.e6 1 8 a3 liJeS 1 9 b4 with equal chances, Brodsky-Neverov, Donetzk 1 998. 1 1 . . . ..d7 Black's latest try to wrest equality from the position by preparing . . . b7-bS. He might also seek im­ mediate exchanges with 1 1 . . . exf4 (note that 1 1 . . .liJxO+ 1 2 i.xO .i.xf3 1 3 AxO exf4 1 4 i.xf4 trans­ poses) 1 2 i.xf4 liJxO+ \ 3 �xO i.xO 1 4 AxO dS

and now: a) I S Ae l "d7 1 6 i.h6 llae8 1 7 i.xg7 �g7 1 8 "f4 f5 1 9 Am �g8?! 20 exdS bS (or 20 . . . liJxdS? 2 1 'iWc4 l:d8 22 l:eS wins) 2 1 d6

94 Main Line 6 f4 e5 liJc8 22 liJd5 liJxd6 23 l:he8 liJxe8 24 "e5 "d6 25 :e 1 gave White the advantage in Hort-Ostoj ic, Hastings 1 967/68. b) 1 5 �g2 "b6 16 :b l (not 1 6 liJxd5?! liJxd5 1 7 exd5 "xb2 1 8 :afl "xa2 leaving Black with an extra pawn) 16 . . .dxe4 1 7 liJxe4 liJfS 1 8 c3 1:tad8 1 9 "f2 "e6 20 liJxc5 '1Wxa2 2 1 :e I "d5 22 liJe4 b6 23 g4 liJe7 24 �g5 ! when White had the advantage in Pelikian­ Matsuura, Maringa 1 99 1 . 1 2 :afl exf4 1 3 �xf4

If 1 3 gxf4 then 1 3 . . . �xf3 �xf3 f5 1 5 i.g2 :ae8 is equal.

14

13 . . .liJxf3+ 14 �xf3 �xf3 1 5 :xf3 b5

Black could also challenge the centre with 1 5 . . . d5 when 1 6 �g5 ( 1 6 i.h6 is worth testing) 1 6 . . . d4 1 7 liJe2 liJc6 1 8 �f6 liJe5 1 9 �xe5 i.xe5 20 liJf4 otTers equal chances. 1 6 �h6 b4 17 �xg7 �xg7

20 . . . bxa3 is met by 2 1 bxa3 with the idea of "c3, targeting f6 and giving White a slight edge. 2 1 :f4 :n 22 'tIig2 :afS 23 g4

The prospect of 23 . . . f5 compels White to restrict Black's ambitions.

23 liJe7

• . .

�h8 24 �hl liJc6 25 liJd5

Nataf takes steps to get rid of the knight before White has a chance to play 'W'f2 to attack the f6 pawn. 26 liJe3 liJc6

Black invites a repetition. Despite his positive approach White is not able to make a breakthrough.

27 liJc4 liJe5 28 liJxa5 bxa3 29 bxa3 :a8 30 liJb3 :x&3 31 d4 cxd4 32 liJxd4 'W'c4 33 :d l Y2-YZ

In the next game Black advances his pawns on the queenside while White gets on with the job of doubling rooks on the f-fiIe to assist in an attack. G .Hernandez-De Firmian

Chicago 1 997

I e4 cS 2 liJc3 liJc6 3 g3 g6 4 i.g2 �g7 5 d3 e5 6 f4 d6 7 liJf3 liJge7

1 8 liJ d l

Short steers the knight towards e3 where it will be well placed to re­ strain the freeing move . . . f7-f5. After 1 8 liJe2 "e6 ( 1 8 . . . d5 1 9 "gS f5 20 liJf4' intending liJh5+) 1 9 c4 bxc3 20 "xc3+ "e5 2 1 "c4 White has pressure against f7. 18 . . . f6 1 9 liJe3 "e6 20 a3 as

The move-order has been slightly changed to make it more logical for this book but in fact the original sequence was I e4 cS 2 d3 liJc6 3 g3 g6 4 �g2 �g7 5 f4 d6 6 liJf3 e5 7 liJc3 liJge7. 8 0-0 0-0 9 �e3 liJd4 10 "d2 :b8

This is another way for Black to prepare the advance . . . b7-b5. It is also useful in some lines to remove the rook from the firing-line of the bishop on g2.

Main Line 6f4 e5 95

1 1 a3 A little ploy to keep Black gues­

sing White 's true intentions. In fact a2-a3 is a nonnal precautionary reaction to the forthcoming queenside pawn stonn, signaIled by . . b7-b5. There are various alternatives: a) I 1 a4 b6 ( 1 1 . . .a6 is met by 1 2 a 5 when 1 2 . . . b5 1 3 axb6 lhb6 1 4 h3 stops Black's usual play on the queenside, giving White a slight advantage) 1 2 l:tf2 .i.b7 1 3 fxe5 dxe5 14 .i.h6 f6 I S l:tafl 'ii'd 7 1 6 b3 led to equal chances in Nikolic­ Martinovic, Yrnjacka Banja 1 98 1 . b ) 1 1 l:.ae l b5 1 2 fxe5 dxe5 1 3 li)d5 .i.e6 1 4 c3 ttJxf3+ I S .i.xf3 lilxd5 16 exd5 .i.xd5 1 7 .i.xc5 l:te8 18 'il'e3 with roughly equal play, Burovic-Chuchelov, Eupen 1 994. c) 1 1 h3 b5 1 2 fxe5 dxe5 1 3 a3 as ( Black just carries on with his queenside pawn advance, in keeping with the standard plan of creating counterplay) 1 4 b3 'ii'c7 1 5 .i.h6 f6 1 6 .i.xg7 �xg7 1 7 a4 b4 1 8 ttJd I f5 19 ttJe3?! fxe4 20 dxe4 .i.xh3 ! gave Black a winning position in Valet-Rabiega, Berlin 1 99 1 . d) 1 1 ttJh4 is played regularly at club level to help force through 1"4-f5 so it makes sense for Black to play 1 1 . . . exf4 when play might continue 1 2 .i.xf4 ( 1 2 gxf4 f5 puts a halt to any idea of f4-f5) 1 2 . . . b5 1 3

a3 as 1 4 l:tae I 'iWc7, resulting In equal chances. e) I I It'ld l and now: e I ) I I . . . b6 (having prepared to push the pawn two squares Black decides on a safe but modest devel­ opment) 1 2 ttJh4 exf4 (the right decision to stop f4-f5 but unlike note 'd' Black does not have active play on the q�eenside) 1 3 .i.xf4 .i.b7 1 4 ttJf2 "d7 I S c3 ttJe6 1 6 .i.h6 f5 1 7 .i.xg7 �xg7 1 8 l:tae I fxe4 1 9 ttJg4 ! (20 'ii'h6+ is the men­ acing threat) 1 9 ... lt'lg8 20 .ltxe4 gave White a small initiative in Yilar Lopez-Franco Ocampos, Zara­ goza 1 999. e2) 1 l . . . b5 1 2 c3 ttJxf3+ 1 3 .ltxf3 b4 1 4 fxe5 ! (or 1 4 ttJf2 exf4 1 5 .ltxf4 ttJc6 1 6 .i.h6 bxc3 1 7 bxc3 �xh6 1 8 'ii'x h6 'ii'f6 is a bit better for B lack) 1 4 . . . bxc3 1 5 bxc3 .ltxe5 1 6 .i.h6 (White has carried out the familiar plan of c2-c3 to remove the black knight from d4 and now finds a way to exchange the dark-squared bishops) 1 6 . . . i.g7 ( 1 6 . . . l:te8 is met by 1 7 d4 with the better chances) 1 7 .ltxg7 �xg7 1 8 d4 "'6 1 9 ttJe3 �a6 20 llf2 cxd4 2 1 cxd4 It'lc6 (2 1 . . . f5 ! ? should be contemplated) 22 l:td l � 23 "c l l:tbc8? (23 ...'ii'a4 ! ? is the best chance but Black is still wQrse) 24 .i.g4 ! when the need to defend the knight on c6 will cause Black to lose material, Frost-Fantin, York 2000. I I . . a6? ! .

The American is wary of what White is planning and bides his time. However, there is nothing wrong with the immediate I 1 . . . b5 . This was tested in the Buchal-Roos, Dresden 1 999, when White got on with the task of doubling rooks on the kingside by 1 2 l:tf2. That game went 1 2 ... a5 1 3 l:.afl b4 1 4 axb4 axb4 I S ttJd 1 b3 (this idea looks

96 Main Line 6/4 e5 very logical but is flawed and bound to trip up Black in future games) 1 6 c3 ttJc2 1 7 fxe5 ! (suddenly it is clear that Black must lose a pawn) 1 7 . . . ttJxe3 18 .xe3 ttJc6 ( 1 8 . . . �xe5 1 9 ttJxe5 dxe5 20 .xc5 wins) 1 9 exd6 ..wxd6 20 � h I �a6 2 1 lId2 l:!.bd8 22 ttJf2 and White gradually prepared to play d3-d4 to exploit his extra pawn. 1 2 1:.11 bS 13 lIafl

c5 pawn from the centre-where White now exerts his influence.

2 1 . . .i.g4 22 b3 as 23 ttJb2 �c8 24 lIcl

Hemandez reacts to the changing circumstances by shifting a rook to the c-fiIe to exploit the presence of the black queen on c7. 24 �a6 2S c3 bxc3 26 "xc3 �bS 27 eS! . . •

The discovered attack on the c6 knight is very awkward for De Firmian.

27 . . .lIbc8 28 dS �xeS 29 "el 1:re8 30 ttJd I �d4

This is the kind of position that White should be aiming for in this line. The doubled rooks are a standard feature and there is always the possibility of �e3-h6. One of the good points is that Black will now have to make concessions to avoid a stampede on the kingside. 13

• . .

exf4 1 4 �xf4 b4

Revealing the defect in Black's strategy. A better situation is to have a pawn on as so that any exchange on b4 can be met by . . . axb4 to open the a-file for the queen 's rook. But 1 4 . . . a6-a5 here would j ust be an admission that his 1 1 th move was a mistake.

I S axb4 cxb4 16 ttJd l ttJxf3+ 1 7 �xf3 ttJc6 1 8 �g2 �e6 1 9 �gS "'6 20 i.e3 ..c7 21 d4

The pawn exchange on move 1 5 has led to the departure of Black's

31 "d2?

In a complicated pOSitIOn White goes wrong. A much stronger con­ tinuation is simply 3 1 dxc6 when 3 1 . . ...a7 is well met by 32 1:c3 ! with a clear advantage. The game concluded: 3 1 . . .�xe3

32 ttJxe3 "'6 33 1:xc6 1:xc6 34 dxc6 1:xe3 3S c7 i.a6 36 i.h3 1:xb3 37 "dS lIbl + 38 �g2 "xc7 39 "a8+ "b8 39 . . . � g7 40 "xa6 "c l gives

Black a very strong attack.

40 "xa6 "b7+ 41 "xb7 1:xb7 42 1:a2 1:bS 43 �d7 lidS 44 �f3 �f8 4S �e2 1:eS+ 46 �d3 hS 47 i.c6 IIJ-IIJ

Main Line 6 f4 e5 97 Summary

The question whether White can take advantage of the extra move he has compared to the English Open­ ing is neatly answered by the game Krapivin-Morozov where Black makes one mistake and is crushed. Another example of what to do if Black goes wrong is shown by Lane-Manet where an attempt to block the kingside ends in failure. The desire to stop the advance f4-fS has resulted in various responses, such as the 8 . . 4:\d4 of Berg - De Firmian. However, a better idea is 7 . exf4, as played in Spassky-Sax, which has made the whole line far less attractive for White. After 8 4:\xf4, White will find that planting a knight on dS has little effect, and anyway Black is well compensated by being able to occupy the important eS square. A possible .

.

.

improvement is 8 i.xf4, which is analysed in A.Gurevich-Duchov but Black should be fine with cor­ rect play. In Short-Nataf, Istanbul Olympiad 2000, White changes tack, posting his king's knight on f3 and gaining excellent results after Black goes astray. In Markowski­ Smirin, the lure of f4-5 proves too tempting for White who jumps at the chance of playing it in even with his knight on f3. An important variation is illustrated by Adams­ Kramnik, where White transposes from the chapter on 6 i.e3 eS. Short-Natal", FIDE-World Ch 2000, is a demonstration of how Black can go in for a plan of exchanging pieces to reduce the impact of White's attack-and it works well. The White attack in the game Hernandez-De Firmian is easy to follow although Black manages to create decent counterplay.

8

6 f4 tLJf6 Kasparov Variation

6 . . . 4::If6 is usually linked to a King 's Indian Defensive system. This has probably spurred on Kasparov to give it his seal of ap­ proval by playing it at the highest level. Commentators were quick to dub it the Kasparov Variation des­ pite its long history-but the name has stuck. Black allows White to push forward his kingside pawns, including the familiar ploy f4-f5, in the hope that rapid expansion on the queenside, coupled with pressure on the a l -h8 diagonal, will prove to be sufficient compensation. For decades the whole l ine has been dismissed for Black on the basis of a brilliant victory by Boris Spassky. Spassky-Ge\ler

Game Six, Candidates match, Suhumi 1 968 1 e4 cS 2 4::Ic3 d6 3 g3 4::Ic6 4 .i.g2 g6 S d3 .i.g7 6 f4 4::If6

This continuation requires expert handling by Black as he will be faced with the usual advance of the kingside pawns and his knight on f6 will be a natural target. Meanwhile, White can expect a rapid counter on the queenside where his opponent will try to gain space. 7 llJ f3 0-0 Played almost automatically, which is understandable considering the low success rate of the alternatives: a) 7 . . . .i.d7 8 0-0 l:tb8 9 h3 0-0 1 0 g4 "c7?! (Black's queenside play is rather slow which allows White to launch a strong kingside attack) 1 1 f5 b5 1 2 .i.e3 c4 1 3 Wd2 cxd3 1 4 cxd3 l:fe8 1 5 .i.h6 .i.h8 1 6 llJh4 with the better chances, Paredes Cordo- Vil legas Salazar, Oropesa del Mar 1 999. b) 7 . . . .i.g4 8 h3 .i.xo 9 "xO 0-0 1 0 0-0

and now:

6 f4 ltJf6 Kasparov Variation 99 b l ) 1 O . . . ltJd4 (the popular reply harass the white queen) 1 1 Wif2 ti.)d7 1 2 ltJd I l:tc8 1 3 c3 ltJc6 1 4 -*.e3 b5 1 5 h4 ( a signal for White 's aggressive intentions which herald the start of a pawn storm) 1 5 . . . b4 16 .1h3 bxc3 1 7 bxc3 ltJb4 1 8 Wid2 c4 1 9 d4 ( 1 9 dxc4 might be a poss­ Ible improvement when 1 9 . . Jhc4 is met by 20 e5 ! ) 1 9 . . . ltJd3 20 ltJf2 lijxf2 2 1 .1xf2 e6 22 f5 exf5 23 cxf5 l:[c7 24 fxg6 hxg6 25 .1e3 l:tb7 26 .1g5 ii'a5 27 h5 l:tb5? (2 7 . . . gxh5 28 l:tfS l:tb5 29 l:tafI is also good for White) 28 .1e7 gave White a winning advantage in Hebden-D.Gurevich, Hastings 1 9851 1l6. b2) 1 0 . . . l:[b8 1 1 "f2 ltJd7 1 2 i..e 3 ltJd4 \ 3 ltJd I ..a5 1 4 .1d2 "a4 1 5 ltJe3 b5 (if 1 5 . . . ltJxc2 then 16 b3 is good for White) 1 6 c3 ltJc6 1 7 e5 ii'a6 1 8 exd6 exd6 1 9 g4 b4 20 f5 (the middlegame plan is pre­ dictably to push the f-pawn and at­ tack) 20 . . . ltJde5 2 1 f6 .th8 22 .1e4 bxc3 23 .1xc3 l:[fe8 24 l:[ad 1 "xa2 25 g5 "e6 26 "h4 ltJxd3 27 .1xc6 "xe3+ 28 �h I l:[ec8 29 .1d5 (the twin threats of .1xf7+ and l:[ I 0 are very strong) 29 . . . h6 30 "xh6 ltJf4 3 1 l:txf4 "xf4 32 "xg6+ 1 -0 Welling - Van Mechelen, Belgian Team Ch 200 I . c) 7 . . . l:tb8 8 0-0 .1d7 (or 8 . . . 0-0 9 h3 transposes to the main game) 9 h3 liJd4 1 0 .1e3 ltJxO+ 1 1 ii'xO 0-0 1 2 "f2 .1c6 (perhaps 1 2 . . . b5 !? should be considered) 13 l:tfd 1 "c7 14 d4 cxd4 1 5 .1xd4 b6 1 6 e5! with an edge for White, Bhend-Attard, Kecskemet Zonal 1 964. to

seventh move. 8 . . . ltJe8 is premature because White has not yet signalled his exact set-up and was rightly punished in Smyslov-I1ivitsky, Moscow 1 952. That game continued 9 h3 ltJc7 1 0 .1e3 b6 1 1 "d2 .1b7 1 2 f5 (the traditional advance in the Closed to soften up Black's kingside pawn wall and allow .1e3-h6 to ex­ change the dark-squared bishops) 1 2 . . . d5 1 3 .i.h6 dxe4 1 4 ltJxe4 ltJd4 1 5 ltJh4 i.. xe4 1 6 .i.xe4 i.. x h6 1 7 ii'xh6 'ii'd6?? (another bit of territory lost: 1 7 . . . ltJxc2 has been suggested but I think White is clearly better atier 1 8 ltJO ltJxa I when, instead of 1 9 ltJg5 'ir'd4+ and 20 . . . "g7, White should just play 1 9 �h2, intending ltJg5, when Black wilI struggle to fend otT the attack) 1 8 �h2 l:[ae8 (if 1 8 . . . ltJd5 then 1 9 fxg6 fxg6 20 ttJxg6 l:txfI 2 1 l:txfI hxg6 22 c4 and White wins) 1 9 fxg6 fxg6 20 ltJxg6! (smashing the de­ fensive barrier in pursuit of mate) 20 . . . ltJO+ (20 . . . hxg6 2 1 i.. xg6 and the threat of mate on h7 is fatal) 2 1 l:txO l:[xO 22 ltJxe7+! 'ir'xe7 23 i.. x O and White was a couple of pawns up. 9 h3

8 0-0 l:[b8

Geller prepares the advance . . . b7-b5 to help create queenside counterplay. It is worth noting that 8 . . . .1g4 9 h3 .1xO 1 0 "xO trans­ poses to note 'b' after Black's

This has the dual purpose of preparing a kingside pawn advance and also 1 0 i.. e 3, without having to worry about the threat of 1 0 . . . ltJg4.

1 00 6 /4 0,/6 Kasparov Variation If 9 i.e3 then 9 . . . 0,g4 1 0 i.d2 c4 ! , threatening . . ".1>6+, is fine for Black. For instance: I I �h 1 'irb6 1 2 'ii'e 2 'ii'x b2 and White does not have any compensation for the pawn. Instead 9 a4 is met by 9 . . . a6 folIowed by . . . b5 with similar play to the main game. The main alterna­ tive 9 It)h4 is discussed in the next game. 9

• • .

bS

It makes sense to be consistent and expand on the queenside. 10 a3 as 1 1 i.e3 b4 12 axb4 axb4 13 0,e2

It is worth pointing out that learn­ ing this line with White wilI help you to beat the English! There are a lot of people who don't realise that one can play the Closed Sicilian against the English and be a move down. This tempo is not that signifi­ cant and in practical tenns a hefty knowledge of the. Closed will give Black more experience in such lines. For instance: I c4 e5 2 0,c3 0,c6 3 g3 g6 4 i.g2 i.g7 5 0,0 f5 6 d3 0,f6 7 0-0 d6 8 l:tb l 0-0 9 b4 a6 1 0 a4 h6 I I b5 axb5 1 2 axb5 0,e7 1 3 i.b2 i.e6 14 l:ta l l:tc8 1 5 l:ta7.

Compare this diagram with the one after Black's 1 5th move in the main game. 1 5 . . . b6 1 6 'ii'c 2 g5 1 7 l:tfa I t't 1 8 0,d2 fxg3 1 9 hxg3 'ii'e 8

20 0,ce4 0,g4 2 1 0,fl 0,f5 2 2 e3 'ii'g6 23 lIb7 0,h4 24 gxh4 gxh4 25 o l:txO 26 'ii'e 2 ':f7 27 0,h2 l:tcf8 28 l:taa7 h3 29 l:txc7 ':xc7 30 ':xc7 0,fl 0- 1 Schneider-Short, Solingen 1 986. After the game the experts greeted Short's rapid victory as a brilIiancy but he just referred re­ porters to Spassky-GelIer, Game Six, Candidates, Suhumi 1 968 ! Another way to handle the attack for Black was explored in Resende­ Kramnik, Sao Paulo 1 99 1 : 1 0,0 d6 2 g3 e5 3 d3 f5 4 i.g2 0,f6 5 c4 g6 6 tOc3 i.g7 7 0-0 0-0 8 l:tb I a5 9 a3 0,c6 1 0 b4 axb4 I I axb4 h6 1 2 b5 0,e7 1 3 i.b2 i.e6 14 'ii'c 2 (this is the ditference in that White does not bother moving the rook to the a-tile) 1 4 . . . g5 1 5 0,d2 l:tb8 1 6 0,b3 'ii'e 8 1 7 0,a5 'ii'h 5 1 8 e3 t't (Black 's pieces are well placed for the attack while White's counterplay on the queenside is poor) 1 9 exf4 gxf4 20 o (or 20 tOxb7? when 20 . . . 0 blocks the defence of the knight) 20 . . . fxg3 2 1 hxg3 'ii'g6 22 �h2 b6 23 0,c6 0,xc6 24 bxc6 i.xc4 25 0,e4 i.e6 26 0,xf6+ l:txf6 27 'ii'e 2 .'h5+ 28 �g l l:tbf8 29 l:tfl 'ii'g6 30 �h2 'ii'h 5+ 3 1 �g 1 'ii'g5 32 �h2 l:tg6 33 g4 h5 34 gxh5 'ii'x h5+ 35 �g I ':'f4 36 �fl (36 l:ta 1 alIows Black to reveal his winning plan: 36 . . . l:th4 37 l:ta7 l:th l mate) 36 ...i.f6 37 i.c 1 l:th4 38 �e l ':h2 39 i.f4 l:thxg2 40 l:txg2 'ii'h 1 + 4 1 �d2 'ii'x g2 0- 1 13 . . . i. b7 The logical choice to allow . . . l:ta8, contesting the a-tile. Others: a) 13 . . . c4? 14 dxc4 i.b7 (Black must have missed that 14 . . . lLlxe4? is simply refuted by 1 5 0,h2 f5 1 6 'ii'd 5+ winning a piece) 1 5 0,d2 0,d7 1 6 ':b 1 gave White the advan­ tage in Hebden-Plaskett, London 1 986.

6 f4 lLlf6 Kasparov Variation 101 b) 1 3 . . . lLle8 (the knight retreats to r eveal a direct attack on b2 which will ensure that, unlike the main game, White has no time for b2-b3) 14 l:tb l lLlc7 I S "d2 lLlbS 1 6 c3 .ia6 1 7 fS bxc3 1 8 bxc3 1Dc7 1 9 g4 lZxb I 20 l:txb I dS 2 1 exdS lLlxdS 22 .ixcs "as 23 �f2 (it is pointless to try and hold on to the extra pawn with 23 �d4 when 23 . . .lLlxd4 24 lljfxd4 lLlxc3 2S �h l "a3 is slight­ ly better for Black because White 's eieces lack hannony) 23 . . . lLlxc3 24 �xc3 �xc3 2S "C I l:tc8 26 fxg6 hxg6 27 "e3 e6 28 d4 (White cuts otT the dark-squared bishop from the kingside defence) 28 . . . l:td8 29 "f4 l:tdS 30 lLlgS l:txgS 3 1 �xc6 �g7 32 �e3 f6 33 "d6 led to vic­ tory in Bastian-Sosonko, Hannover 1 983. c) 13 . . ...c7 14 g4 ( 1 4 b3, intend­ ing l:tc 1 with similar play to the main game, is the alternative) 14 . . . lLld7 I S c3 �b7 1 6 "c2 ! ? ( 1 6 rs should be considered) 1 6 . . . l:tfc8 17 gS l:ta8 1 8 lLlh2 l:txa I 1 9 l:txa 1 lZa8 20 l:txa8+ �xa8 2 1 d4 with equal chances, Weiss-Horsch, Ger­ man Team Ch. 2000.

1 9 . . . fxe4 20 dxe4 gives White some compensation for the pawn in the fonn of the fS square for the knight) 1 7 . . . lLld4 1 8 c3 bxc3 1 9 bxc3 lLlxf3+ 20 �xf3 �a6 2 1 l:txb8 l:txb8 22 l:ta I �bS 23 l:tb 1 �c6 24 l:txb8+ lLlxb8 25 d4 cxd4 26 cxd4 �b7 27 "as �f8 28 Wb6 d5 29 eS Y2-Y2.

This is a significant improvement on an earlier game in this match against Geller when Spassky tried 14 "d2. There fol lowed l 4 . . . l:ta8 IS l:tab l .as 1 6 b3 l:tfc8 ( 1 6 . . . d5 ! 1 7 eS d4 is equal according to Vorotnikov) 1 7 fS Wb6 1 8 g4 l:ta2 19 lLlc 1 l:taS 20 Wf2 with good attacking chances and White eventually won. Instead, Ibragimov­ Kuporosov, Berlin 1 995, saw 1 4 g4 to launch an immediate kingside offensive. There followed 1 4 . . . lLld7 I S %:tb l e6 1 6 "d2 We7 1 7 lLlg3 ( 1 7 fS ! ? is an interesting gambit when 1 7 . . . exfS 1 8 gxfS gxfS 1 9 lLlg3 { 1 9 exfS l:tfe8! is better for Black}

I think the queen ends up being out of the game after it is transferred to the a-file-so 1 6 . . ...c7 should be considered.

14 b3 !

1 4 . . . l:ta8 1 S l:tc l

Spassky reveals his excellent idea by moving the rook to defend the c-pawn, which allows the queen to get on with the job of attacking on the kingside. IS

•.•

l:ta2

1 6 g4 Was

17 "el Wa6 18 "12 lLla7

Geller embarks on the slow manoeuvre lLla7-bS-a3 to exploit the weak dark squares on the queenside. 19 f5

Anyone who plays the Closed will instantly spot this continuation that helps to undennine Black's pawn barrier. 19 . . .lLlbS 20 fxg6 hxg6

20 . . . fxg6 2 1 lLlf4 lLlc7 22 lLlgS is good for White. 2 1 lLlgS ltJa3 22 .h4 l:tc8

1 02 6 f4 t'fjf6 Kasparov Variation possibility at all. It is rumoured that as part of his preparation for the World Championship match against Kramnik, Kasparov analysed some old l ines which included this one. Short-Kasparov

Zurich 200 1

Black's posItion is beginning to crack because he is obliged to give his king an escape square. For in­ stance 22 . . . t'fjxc2? loses to 23 l:txf6 threatening mate on h7. 23 l:xf6!

Spassky eliminates the knight so as to enable the queen to invade Black's position. 23 . . .exf6 24 Wh7+ '.t>f8 25 t'fjxf7

I e4 cS 2 t'fjc3 d6 3 g3 t'fjc6 4 .tg2 g6 5 d3 � g7 6 f4 t'fjf6 7 t'fjo 0-0 8 0-0 :tb8 9 h3

Kasparov's seal of approval has seen a new surge of interest in this l ine. Therefore, it might be wise to have a decent alternative available just to put off the dedicated fol­ lowers of fashion. 9 t'fjh4, intending to assist the advance f4-fS, was popular in the 1 960s but has since been neglected. For example:

1::tx c2

2S . . . �xf7 is no better in view of 26 �h6 (26 . . . t'fjxc2? doesn't solve anything: 27 Wxg7+ �e8 28 eS ! wins) 26 . . . l:tg8 27 t'fjf4 l:xc2 28 l:f1 '.t>f8 29 t'fjxg6+ �f7 30 �xg7 lhg7 3 1 t'fjh8+ is winning. 26 �h6 l:txc l +

Grabbing the knight with 26 . . . l:txe2 is no help: 27 Wxg7+ �e8 28 t'fjgS ! fxgS 29 l:tf1 with mate to follow. 27 t'fjxc1 �xf7

An attempt to wriggle out of the position with 27 . . . �xh6 is doomed after 28 t'fjxh6 �e8 29 t'fjg8 ! �f8 30 t'fje7 with a winning advantage.

28 Wxg7+ �e8 29 g5 f5 30 Wxg6+ �d7 3 1 Wf7+ �c6 32 exf5+ 1 -0.

A look at older sources will reveal that Black largely disregarded the whole l ine after the Spassky encounter and in fact some writers on the Closed scarcely mention the

a) 9 . . . �g4?! (occasionally played but I don't think it should be a prob­ lem for White) 1 0 We l t'fjd4 I I Wf2 �d7 (the bishop retreats other­ wise White plays f4-fS, followed by h2-h3 , to attack the bishop) 1 2 h3 ( 1 2 fS seems to be good but 12 . . . t'fjg4 is awkward when 1 3 Wd2 �h6 1 4 Wd l t'fje3 I S �xe3 �xe3+ 16 �h I �h6 and the dark-squared bishop will be a strong defender) 12 . . . bS 1 3 fS �c6 1 4 g4 when the chances are roughly equal although the surge of pawns on the kingside

6/4 ttJt6 will tend to make Black rather nervous. b) 9 . . . �d7 1 0 fS bS I I �gS ! b4 12 ttJdS as (Or 1 2 . . . ttJxdS 1 3 exdS lbeS 14 "d2 ! , intending �gS-h6, is better for White) 1 3 �h l ( 1 3 "d2 ! ? i s a reasonable alternative) 1 3 . . . ttJeS 1 4 'ifd2 �c6 I S :ae l a4 1 6 "e2 "d7 1 7 �c I 'ji'b7 1 8 ttJe3 e6 19 fxe6 (if 1 9 g4 exfS White could try the dangerous 20 ttJhxfS with attacking prospects) 1 9 . . . fxe6 20 ttJf3 ttJxf3 2 1 :xf3 dS 22 exdS exdS 23 ttJg4 :be8 24 ttJxf6+ �xf6 2S :'e3 :xe3 26 "xe3 :e8 27 "£2 :'xe I + 28 "xe I �f7 29 "e2 "e7 YrY:! Spassky-Petrosian, World Championship Moscow 1 966 c) 9 . . . ttJg4 1 0 �h l fS 1 1 h3 ttJh6 1 2 ttJds (possible is 1 2 ttJf3 ! ? cen­ tralising the king's knight) 1 2 . . . e6 1 3 ttJe3 eS 14 exfS exf4 I S fxg6 fxe3 16 gxh7+ �xh7 (not 16 . . . 'it>h8? when 1 7 ttJg6+ �xh7 1 8 ttJxf8 �xf8 1 9 �S wins) 1 7 �e4+ �g8 1 8 �dS+ �h7 1 9 �e4+ YrY2 Hecht-Darga, Berlin 1 982. d) 9 . . . ttJd4 (probably the best of the bunch) 10 fS bS I I �gS b4 1 2 ttJe2 ( 1 2 ttJb I looks odd but after 1 2 . . . aS 1 3 ttJd2 �a6 14 ttJc4 �xc4 I S dxc4 ttJd7 16 "d2 the position offered equal chances in Krapivin­ Mirumian, Olomouc 2000) 1 2 . . . ttJxe2+ ( 1 2 . . . ttJd7 ! ? is also poss­ ible) 13 "xe2 ttJd7 14 :ab l ttJeS I S "d2 as 16 �h6 �d7 1 7 ttJf3 'ji'b6?! ( l 7 . . . ttJxf3+ is an obvious way to avoid the doubled e-pawns) 1 8 ttJxeS dxeS 1 9 �e3 :bc8 20 g4 "d6 2 1 b3 f6 22 h4 e6 23 �h3 a4 24 :f3 , intending to double rooks, helped White to an eventual w in in Lein-Sakharov, USSR Ch 1 968. 9 bS 1 0 a3 as 1 1 �e3 ttJd7 • . •

Kils/lilrt JI· , 'tII l , ' I' , ,"

I /I j

Kasparov uncorks his improve­ ment on the Spassky-Geller game. Basically, he wishes to attack the b2 pawn before White has had time to employ the system with b2-b3 and :a l -c l . 1 2 :'bl b4 1 3 axb4 axb4 1 4 ttJe2 �b7 IS g4

The m iddlegame plan of advanc­ ing the kingside pawns is underway. IS :a8 1 6 c4! A search through the archives re­ ...

veals this is an improvement on the game Chemov-Fedorov, Kishinev 1 998, which continued 1 6 b3 :'a2 1 7 ttJc l :a6 1 8 "e l e6 19 "£2 the manoeuvre when ttJa7 . . . ttJbS-c3 is more dangerous with the rook on b I , thereby giving Black an edge. 16 . . . e6 17 gS :e8 18 h4 dS

f 04

6 f4 tiJf6 Kasparuv Variation

19 e5

White closes the centre, which is usually a prelude to an attack on the kingside. Not 1 9 cxd5 when 1 9 . . . exd5 20 exd5 tiJe7 (20 . . . l:txe3 2 1 dxc6 �xc6 is also good for Black) 2 1 d6 tiJf5 with advantage.

19 . . . tiJe7 20 tiJg3 "c7 21 �f2 tiJrs

Kasparov is quick to offer ex­ changes so as to give himself more room for manoeuvre. 22 :cl

22 tiJxf5 exf5 23 cxd5 �xd5 is fine for Black.

2 2 . . .tiJxg3 23 .txg3 l:ted8 24 "e2 l:ta2 25 �f2 �f8 26 tiJh2 dxc4 27 dxc4 �xg2 28 �xg2 h5 29 gxh6

If Short keeps the kingside closed then he can make little ,progress.

29 . . . �xh6 30 �e3 Wh7+ 3 1 �g3 rs 32 l:tcd 1 l:te8 33 l:tf2 l:te7 34 tiJrJ "e4 35 "d3 'iWb7 36 b3 l:ta3 37 l:tfd2 l:ta7

exposed white king. For instance: 40 . . . l:te8 4 1 l:txa8 :exa8 42 tiJg5 l:ta2 43 l:td8+ �g7 44 "d I �xg5 45 l:td7+ �e7 46 l:txe7 + �h6 and the white attack will take some time to work. 39 . . . :a2 40 "d3 l:ta7 41 l:td2

%-'11.

Ruslan Ponomariov is in the world's elite and his choice of 6 . . . tiJf6 is further proof that the line is now given due respect. However, the usual middlegame plan of advancing the kingside pawns is enough to cause him problems. AI

Modiahki-Ponomariov

FIDE World Ch, Las Vegas 1 999 1 e4 d6

This is not a misprint! The game soon transposes from a Pirc to the Closed Sicilian.

2 tiJc3 tiJf6 3 g3 g6 4 �g2 �g7 5 f4 c5 6 lLlrJ tiJc6 7 0-0 0-0 8 d3 l:tb8 9 h3 b5 1 0 g4

38 "c2?!

In time trouble Short gives Kasparov a chance to escape from the pressure on the d-file. A better idea is 38 "d6!, to threaten 39 �xc5. when 38 . . . �f8 39 tiJg5 gives Black problems. 38 . . ...a8 39 l:td6

39 �xc5 seems to be strong although after 39 . . . tiJxc5 40 l:td8+ Black has compensation due to the

White avoids a2-a3 in the hope that he can accelerate his kingside attack and reduce his opponent's queenside counterplay by keeping the a-file closed. 10 . b4 1 1 tiJe2 a5 a) 1 1 . . . c4 (designed to undennine the c2-d3-e4 pawn chain-but in . .

6 j4 ltJj6 Kasparov Variation J 05 practice it has been shown to be relatively harmless) 1 2 .i.e3 ( 1 2 fS is well met by 1 2 . . . 'ifb6+ 1 3 �h I b3 when White will have to deal with the question of his queenside pawns and shift his attention away from the standard k ingside assault) 12 . . . i.a6 1 3 ltJed4 ltJxd4 1 4 .i.xd4 Wc7 I S l:.f2 l:.fe8 1 6 fS e5?! 1 7 fxe6 fxe6 1 8 eS ltJd5 1 9 exd6 .d7 ( 1 9 •xd6 loses a piece after 20 i.xg7 �xg7 2 1 dxc4 i.xc4 22 Wd4+) 20 dxc4 ltJf4 2 1 i.xg7 Wxg7 22 .d4 ltJxg2 23 "xg7+ �xg7 24 �xg2 .i.xc4 2S 'lle S i.dS+ 26 �g3 l:.ed8 27 d7 1 -0 Smyslov-Taimanov USSR Olym­ piad 1 9S9. b) 1 1 . . . ltJe8 (there is some debate as to what is the best square for the king's knight, when it uncovers the diagonal of the dark-squared bishop) 1 2 .e l ltJc7 1 3 fS ltJbS 1 4 .h4 � bd4 I S ltJexd4 ltJxd4 1 6 .i.h6 f6 (Black i s understandably wary about the prospect of ltJgS. If 1 6 . . . ltJxc2 ! ? then White creates attacking chances after 1 7 l:tac I { 1 7 ltJgS f6 1 8 .i.xg7 fxgS ! should save Black } 1 7 . . . ltJd4 1 8 .i.xg7 ltJxtJ+ 19 l:.xtJ �xg7 20 gS) 1 7 ltJxd4 cxd4 1 8 gS "e8 1 9 .i.xg7 �xg7 20 .f2 gxfS 2 1 exfS fxgS 22 .xd4+ l:tf6 23 l:tae l �f8 (23 . . . a6 has the merit of saving the a-pawn although White has a decent attack after 24 l:te3 "d8 2S l:tg3) 24 l:te3 .i.b7 (24 •d8 is not much better when 2S 'ii'x a7 l:tbS 26 l:tfe l is good for White) 2S l:te6 .d8 26 .xa7 .i.xg2 27 �xg2 �f7 28 l:.fe l l:txe6 29 fxe6+ �g8 30 l:.n l:.c8 3 1 l:tf7 led to victory in A.Rodriguez-Seminara, Buenos Aires 1 998. c) 1 1 . .. ltJd7 (More popular than I I . . . ltJe8, partly due to the fact that when f4-fS is played the eS square can be a strong outpost for a black . . .

. . .

knight) 1 2 "e I as 1 3 fS (as usual the f-pawn advances in order to probe for weaknesses and open the c l -h6 diagonal for White's bishop) 1 3 . . . ltJdeS 14 ltJxeS ltJxeS I S .i.gS a4 1 6 l:td l .i.d7 1 7 .f2 ltJc6 1 8 b3 ltJeS 19 .h4 l:te8 20 l:tf2 (the queenside counterplay is slow enough to allow White time to double his rooks on the f-liIe) 20 . . . axb3 2 1 axb3 l:ta8 22 l:tdfl l:ta2 23 ltJc I l:ta I 24 .i.e3 .i.bS 25 gS with excellent attacking chances, Giorgadze-XU Jun, Erevan Olymp­ iad 1 996.

1 2 .i.e3 White carries on developing. It is a lso possible to try the natural-look­ ing 1 2 fS . The game Morovic Fernandez-Van Wely, Wijk aan Zee 1994, continued 1 2 fS ! ? c4 ! ? 1 3 .i.e3 cxd3 ( l 3 . . . .i.a6?! , to exert pressure on the d-pawn, is not impressive after 1 4 d4 ! c3 { 1 4 . . . ltJxe4? allows I S dS ! winning} I S dS cxb2 1 6 l:tb I ltJeS 1 7 ltJxeS dxeS 1 8 l:txb2 when White is a little better due to the kingside onslaught) 1 4 cxd3 .i.a6 I S 'lled4 ltJxd4 1 6 ltJxd4 :c8 1 7 ltJtJ ltJd7 1 8 l:tf2 dS ! 1 9 a3 ltJcs (in his notes to the game Van Wely suggests 19 . . . .i.b7 20 axb4 axb4 2 1 l:ta7 ! l:tc7 as an alternative but I assume he missed

1 06 6 j� t:jjf6 Kasparov Variation

23 �f4 ! which wins material) 20 �xc5 dxe4 2 1 axb4 exf3 22 ti'xf3 (if 22 lha5, then 22 .. .lhc5 23 lha6 l:tc7 24 l:txf3 �xb2 gives Black good prospects of a draw thanks to his powerful bishop) 22 . . . axb4 23 d4 �c4 24 l:d l b3 ! 25 g5 ! (the strong threat of f5-f6 requires accurate defence) 25 . . . gxf5 26 ti'x f.S e6 27 ti'g4 f5 28 gxf6 l:txf6 29 1:txf6 'ihf6 and White should have played 30 �e4 to en­ sure the game fizzled out to a draw. 12 . . . t:jjd7 13 l:i.b l a4 14 b3

chance to install a knight on the important eS square. 19 t:jjxeS

I f 1 9 t:jj f4 then 1 9 . . . l:ta8 20 ti'g3 l:ta2 2 1 t:jjx e5 t:jjx e5 22 fxg6 hxg6 23 :bc I ti'd7 is equal. 1 9 . . . t:jjxeS 20 ti'12 l:te8 Ponomariov is very cool under pressure and resists the chance to stop f5-f6 with 20 . . . �f6? which runs into 2 1 �h6 �h4 22 ti'f4 l:te8 23 f6 g5 24 �xg5 t:jjg6 25 "d2 winning.

21 f6 �h8 22 ti'h4 na8 23 l:t12 l:ta2 24 t:jjg3 "a8?

It is necessary to block the advance of the b-pawn because a Black needs to play 24 . . . t:tJd7 fol­ direct attack with 1 4 ti'e I !? is ' quickly thwarted by 1 4 . . . b 3 ! I S lowed by . . . d5 to tie down White's axb3 axb3 1 6 c3 �a6 and White pieces to the defence of f6-­ otherwise his bishop on h8 j ust will have to defend. looks silly. 14 axb3 I S axb3 2S "gS? Despite the best of intentions AI White misses his chance to finish Modiahki has been obliged to open the a-file. This means that White in style with the astounding 25 needs to get on with the job of itlf5 ! ! when acceptance of the sacri­ attacking on the kingside before the fice leads to an ordeal for Black. For black rooks infiltrate his position example: 25 . . . gxf5 26 exf5 �xg2 (26 . . . l:tc8 27 �h6 l:ta 1 28 l:txa l via a2. ti'xa I + 29 l:tf1 ti'd4+ 30 ti'xd4 IS �b7 16 ti'e l 1 6 ti'd2 !?, intending f4-f5 fol­ cxd4 3 1 �xb7 l:tb8 32 l:ta l win­ lowed by �e3-h6 to exchange the ning) 27 l:txg2+ t:jjg6 28 fxg6 hxg6 key defensive piece, is also possible. 29 l:tf1 (intending l:txg6+ swiftly 1 6 e6 17 G!? exfS 18 gxfS followed by f6-f7+) 29 . . . :a7 30 �c l l:tc7 3 1 �b2 "a2 32 l:txg6+ ! t:jjceS Now that the e5 square is no fxg6 33 f7+ l:xf7 34 "xh8 mate. 2S l:te6 longer controlled Black leaps at the . . •

• • •

• . .

• • •

6 f4 ltJf6 Kasparov After 25 . . . 1:a l White emerges on top thanks to kingside play : 26 l:txa l 'ilha l + 27 1:fl 'iWb2 28 ltJf5 . 2 6 l:tbn 1:a l 27 � c l ltJd7 2 8

CtifS

The f-pawn is lost so White de­ l: ides to create complications. In­ stead, 28 �b2 is shown to be poor "tier 28 . . . l:txfl + 29 1:xfl 'iWa2 when White's position collapses. 28 . . . .txf6 29 'iig3 ltJe5 ? !

29 . . . 'iia 6 should be considered, to guard the d-pawn and remain a pawn up. 30 �b2 l:txfl + 31 l:txn "'d8? 32 l2)xd6! �a6

32 . . . 'iixd6 runs into 33 1:xf6 ! l:txf6 3 4 �xe5 'it'e6 35 �xf6 "'xf6 36 Wb8+ and White wins. 33 ltJr5 �f8 34 ltJe3 �h4 35 'ii f4 .tg5 36 'iig3

It is not worth White avoiding the repetition because 36 1IH2 �h4 3 7 "'e2 allows a tricky combination: 37 . . . ltJxd3 38 cxd3 �xd3 39 'iid2 .txfl 40 'iix d8+ .txd8 4 1 ltJxfl l:td6, intending . . . l:td3, which gives Black the better ending. 36 . . . �h4 37 'ii r4 �g5 38 'iig3

'12-'12

Val"ill/w/I

/ 11 '

Summary Spassky-Geller is rightly n° ­ garded as a classic. White steam­ rollers Black with a fine attf6 1 -0

The knight on e2 can sometimes play a more useful role by ma­ noeuvring to g3 after White has played g3-g4. Brufman-Valois

Pan American Ch 1 996 1 e4 cS 2 �c3 �c6 3 g3 g6 4 -tg2 i.g7 5 d3 d6 6 �ge2 �f6 7 0-0 0-0 8 h3 i.d7

Black simply wishes to develop his pieces. It should be noted that for ease of reference the move-order has been changed. The game orig­ inally began I e4 c5 2 �c3 �c6 3 g3 �f6 4 .i.g2 g6 5 �ge2 Ji.g7 6 d3 d6 7 0-0 0-0 8 h3 i.d7. Instead 8 . . . �e8 is a major alternative: a) 9 i.e3 and now: a l ) 9 . . . �d4 1 0 l:tb l ( 1 0 "c l or 1 0 f4 are both worth considering) 10 . . . Ji.e6 1 1 a3 a5 1 2 c,t>h2 l£..c7 1 3 I� l:tb8 1 4 g4 f5 1 5 l£..g3 .d7 1 6 cxf5 gxf5 1 7 g5 b 5 1 8 l£..ce2 l£..d5 19 i.d2 b4 20 axb4 axb4 2 1 l£..xd4 i.xd4 22 .e2 l£..c 7 23 l:tfe 1 l:tfe8 Y2-Y2 Neumann-Rudolph, Hessen Ch 1 988 a2) 9 . . . l£..c7 1 0 .d2 l£..d4 1 1 g4 ! ?

An interesting idea to make room on g3 for the knight. This pawn ad­ vance is usually made after I� but Schneider is hoping his move-order will allow more options such as .i.e3-h6) 1 1 . . . l:tb8 1 2 l£..g3 b5 1 3 l£..d I ( I prefer 1 3 a3 ! ? in order to open the a-file for the rook) 13 . . . b4 14 c3 l£..c6 1 5 1� ( 1 5 Ji.h6 bxc3 1 6 bxc3 Ji.xh6 1 7 .xh6 i.a6 1 8 .d2 with equal chances) 1 5 . . . bxc3 1 6 bxc3 l£..b 5 1 7 l:t c I 'ii'a 5 1 8 e5 ! (White finds a way to relieve the pressure on c3 by blocking the a l -h8 diagonal and at the same time unleash a discovered attack on the c6 knight) 1 8 . . . Ji.d7 1 9 exd6 exd6 20 f5 (the advance f4-f5 is always an important part of White's attack­ ing strategy. One plan might be to play i.h6 followed by f6) 20 . . . i.e5 2 1 l£..e4 f6 22 fxg6 hxg6 23 i.1� (the bishop on e5 is a key defensive piece because it protects f6 and d6 -therefore White aims to exchange it) 23 •d8 24 Ji.xe5 l£..x e5 (or 24 . . . fxe5 25 l:txfB+ .xfB 26 a4 l£..c 7 27 .g5 Ji.e8 28 l£..c3 l£..e6 29 .h4 and White has good attacking chances) 25 .h6 Ji.e6 26 a4 d5 (or 26 . . . l£..c 7 27 d4 gives White a win­ ning position) 27 l£..x c5 .b6 28 d4 l£..c7 29 a5! .xa5 30 l£..xe6 4:lxe6 3 1 dxe5 1 -0. b) 9 f4 f5 (a point of the knight ' s retreat i s t o make way for this move . . .

1 1 2 Systems with lOge2 which blocks any ambitions White may have of f4-fS) I 0 �e3 lOd4 I I l:tb l a5 1 2 a4 1Oc7 1 3 exf5 gxf5 1 4 �h2 l:tb8 1 5 109 I �d7 1 6 1Of3 �c6 1 7 'it'd2 led to roughly equal chances in Smirin-Huzman, Pula Zonal 2000. I}

.ie3 l:tc8?!

The rook will be doing very little on the c-file if White delays playing d3-d4. Also possible: a) 9 . . . a6? ! ( .. J:tb8 is a better way of preparing the advance of the b­ pawn because later, when carrying out a pawn storm, he may have to lose a move with . . . a6-a5) 1 0 'it'd2 Ite8 I I g4 !

An instructive idea which makes room for his knight on g3, initiates a kingside pawn advance and keeps open the option of �e3-h6) 1 1 . . .b5 1 2 lOg3 b4 13 ltJd I �h8 14 �h6 l:tg8 1 5 �xg7+ l:txg7 1 6 f4 e6 1 7 lOe3 lOg8 1 8 f5 gave White a king­ side space advantage in Palau­ Lynch, Buenos Aires 1 93 L . b) 9 . . .l:tb8 and now: b l ) 1 0 a4 a6 I L 'it'd2 l:[e8 1 2 f4 h6 1 3 g4 (this old game remains an excellent example of how White can storm the kingside) 1 3 . . . 'ii'b6 1 4 a5 'it'd8 1 5 e5 ! dxe5 1 6 fxe5 lOh7 1 7 �xh6 .ixe5 1 8 .if4 l:[fS 1 9 .ixe5 If'lxe5 20 'iWe3 'ifc7 2 1 lOd5 'iWd6 22

lOg3 �c6 23 l:tae I f6 24 c4 �xd5 25 �xd5+ e6 26 1Oe4! (Dake block­ ades his own bishop in order to carry out a fine tactical combina­ tion) 26 . . . 'iWe7 27 lOxf6+ l:txf6 28 'it'xe5 l:txfl + 29 l:txfl l:te8 30 �e4 'it'g5 3 1 'it'xg5 lOxg5 32 �xg6 l:td8 33 h4 �g7 34 �h5 lOh7 35 l:[f7+ 1 -0 Dake-Fine, New York 1 930. b2) 1 0 'iWd2 b5 I I a3 (or 1 I lOd I .a5 1 2 c3 l:tfc8 1 3 �h6 �h8 1 4 g4 lOe8 1 5 f4 b4 1 6 1'5 with good king­ side play, Karpov-Tsamryuk, Lenin­ grad 1 967) 1 1 . . . a5 1 2 a4 b4 1 3 10d l lLIe8 1 4 c3 lOc7 1 5 f4 (the threat is f4-fS) 1 5 . . . f5 1 6 1Of2 led to equal chances in King-Collinson, British Team Ch (4 NCL) 2000. c) 9 . . . "c8 1 0 �h2 lOe5 I I lOg l ( 1 1 lOf4 ! ? is possible but White wants to play 1 I 'it'd2? to exchange dark-squared bishops but the knight retreat is designed to stop I I . . . .txh3! 1 2 .txh3 1Of3+ 1 3 �g2 lOxd2 1 4 �xc8 lOxfl and Black is ahead on material) 1 1 . . .l1e8 1 2 'it'd2 l:tb8 1 3 l:tae l a6 1 4 f4 1Oc6 1 5 e5! dxe5 ( 1 5 . . . lOh5 1 6 g4 wins) 1 6 fxe5 lOxe5 1 7 �f4 and the pin on the knight gave White a winning advantage in Schubert-Waechter, Niederbayern 2000. d) 9 . . . h6 is an idea to stop White occupying the h6 square with a bishop: 1 0 'it'd2 �h7 I I f4 e6 1 2 g4 'it'e7 1 3 lOg3 when the idea of f4-f5 gave White an edge in Wade­ Cherta, Barcelona 1 946. 10 'it'd2 l:te8 1 1 �h6 A regular theme in the Closed Sicilian because White is always happy to exchange one of Black's key defensive pieces. Nevertheless 1 1 f4, intending g3-g4 and f4-f5 , looks like a reason­ able alternative. 1 1 . . .�h8 1 2 f4 a6 13 rs b5 14 g4

Systems with ltJge2 1 1 3 This idea was sometimes played by Fischer. It keeps open options of playing d2-d4 if Black is fooled into playing a variation of the Sicilian he is not familiar with-for example: 2 ... e6 is not very useful for a Dragon player after 3 d4. At club level it may well gain some time on the clock while Black is deciding how to meet the unusual opening choice. The plan of .ie3-h6 followed by advancing the kingside pawns is a powerful feature of the Closed Sicilian-and hard to resist. 14 as?!

.•.

2 . . . d6 3 ltJbc3 ltJf6 4 g3 g6 S .tg2 .tg7 6 d3 0-0 7 0-0 ltJc6 8 h3 llb8

b4 IS ltJd 1 ltJeS 16 ltJg3

1 6 . . . .ic6 is an improvement wht:n 1 7 g5 ltJfd7 1 8 W'f2 gives White slightly the better chances. 17 gS ltJhS 18 ltJxhS gxhS

Black's kingside pawn barrier is broken and it is difficult to construct a defence. 19 'ili'f2 1 9 'ili'e2 allows Black to co�j ure up some counterplay by 1 9 . . . Wb6! 20 �h l c4. 19

.••

.ic6 20 ltJe3 ltJd7 2 1 g6

Brufman is really going for it with a direct attack that will enable his well-placed pieces to infiltrate Black's camp.

2 1 . .. ltJeS 22 g7! .ixg7 23 'ili'g3 ltJg6 24 fxg6 hxg6 2S �xg7 �xg7 26 ltJf5+ �h8 27 ltJh6 1 -0

Once again the theme is g3-g4 followed by ltJe2-g3 to help support the advance f4-f5 . However, this time the attack is too slow and Black, with great style, reacts with a quick counterattack. Knoppert-Van Wely

Dordrecht rapidplay 2000 1 e4 cS 2 ltJe2

9 f4

White adopts the traditional idea of advancing his kingside pawns. Other moves: a) 9 l:tb l b5 1 0 a3 ltJd7 1 1 b4 (this idea of blocking the queenside has not caught on because Black is not faced with any threats) 1 1 . . . ltJd4 1 2 .ib2 ltJb6 1 3 ltJxd4 cxd4 14 ltJe2 ltJa4 1 5 .ia I ( 1 5 .txd4?! .ixd4 1 6 ltJxd4 ltJc3 is better for Black) 1 5 . . . 'itb6 1 6 'ili'd2 .id7 1 7 l:tbc l l:tbc8 1 8 c3 dxc3 1 9 ltJxc3 ltJxc3 20 .ixc3 .ixc3 2 1 1:txc3 :'xc3 22 'ili'xc3 l:tc8 23 'itb2 'ili'c6 and the domination of the c­ file gave Black the better chances in Tarjan-Browne, Lone Pine 1 975. b) 9 a4 a6 1 0 f4 .id7 1 1 .ie3 b5 1 2 axb5 axb5 1 3 'ili'd2 b4 14 ltJd l 'iib6 1 5 f5 ltJd4 1 6 g4 ( 1 6 ltJxd4 is

1 14 Systems with (£)ge2 another idea when 1 6 . . . cxd4 1 7 .i.h6, intending a kingside pawn ad­ vance, is promising for White) 1 6 . . . b ) ' 1 7 c3 {£)c2 1 8 l:tb l (£)xe3 1 9 ltlxc3 ..ih6 with good play on the dark squares, Rodriguez­ G . Hernandez, Sao Paulo, 1 992 c) 9 .i.e3 is also possible when the position is similar to the previous main game and play might continue 9 . . . b5: c l ) 10 d4 b4 1 1 {£)d5 {£)d7 1 2 dxc5 dxc5 1 3 'ifc I .i.a6 1 4 l:te I e6 1 5 (£)df4 'iWe7 and Black's bishop­ pair give him an edge, Gruenfeld­ Van Wely, New York 1 994. c2) 1 0 'iWd2 and now: c2 1 ) 1 0 . . . b4 1 1 {£)d l e5 1 2 f4 ( 1 2 .i.h6!? should be considered) 12 . . . {£)d4 1 3 g4 exf4 1 4 .i.xf4 {£)e6 1 5 .i.g3 {£)e8 16 a3 b3 1 7 c3 {£)8c7 1 8 (£)e3 .i.a6 1 9 l:tf2 l:tc8 20 l:tafl .i.h6 Y2-!/2 Boyd-Acs, Baden 1 999. c22) 1 0 . . . .i.d7 1 1 .i.h6 (White wants to exchange the important de­ fender on g7 before advancing the kingside pawns) 1 1 . . . 'ifc7 1 2 .i.xg7 �xg7 1 3 f4 e5? 14 fxe5 (£)xe5 1 5 lhf6 1 -0 Sulleva Baiget-Flores, Linan 1 999. c2 3) 1 0 . . . {£)e8 1 1 .i.h6 e5 1 2 {£)d5 {£)c7 1 3 .i.xg7 �xg7 1 4 {£)e3 ttJd4 1 5 c3 {£)xe2+ 1 6 "'xe2 b4 1 7 'iWd2 a5 1 8 f4 f6 1 9 a4 h5 20 h4 l:th8 2 1 l:tf2 (White has the simple and good plan of doubling rooks and prepar­ ing the advance f4-fS-a main theme in this line) 2 1 . .. {£)e8 22 l:tafl 'iWd7 2 3 f5 "'fl 24 .i.h3 �f8 25 {£)d5 g5? ! (25 . . ....g7 is necessary when 26 fxg6 i.xh3 27 {£)xf6 "'xg6 28 (£)d7+ rl;e7 is fine for Black al­ though 26 �h2 maintains the ten­ sion) 26 hxg5 fxg5 27 "'xg5 "'g7 28 -.n4 'iWfl 29 g4 i.b7 30 {£)e3 d5 3 1 g5 dxe4 32 dxe4 l:td8 33 {£)g4 "'c4 34 {£)xe5 1 -0 Pedersen­ Ekebjaerg, Danish Ch 1 967.

.i.d7 Van Wely follows the standard idea of activating the queenside. In the game Hofmann-Marjanovic, Bled 1 996, Black tried 9 . . . e5 but missed the potential danger of f4-f5 and was crushed after 1 0 .i.e3 {£)h5 1 1 f5 ! h6 1 2 "'d2 'it>h7 1 3 g4 {£)f6 1 4 g5 hxg5 1 5 .i.xg5 'Wb6 1 6 "'e I ttJd4 ( 1 6 . . . {£)e8 1 7 'ifh4+ rl;g8 1 8 f6 .i.h8 1 9 (£)d5 wins) 1 7 "'h4+ {£)h5 1 8 {£)g3 l:th8 1 9 {£)d5 'iWxb2 20 fxg6+ fxg6 2 1 (£)xh5 1 -0. 9

. . .

1 0 g4

Knoppert is focused on creating a rapid kingside pawn attack. This has a lot of merit but against a world class player l ike Van Wely one must always watch out for a counter­ attack. 1 0 .i.e3 ! ? is the main alterna­ tive to bolster his development when, after 1 0 . . . b5, play might continue: a) 1 1 a3 {£)e8 (the bishop on g7 can now support a possible . . . (£)d4) 1 2 d4 cxd4 13 {£)xd4 b4 1 4 {£)xc6 (not 14 axb4? because Black has a tactic in 1 4 . . . .i.xd4 ! 1 5 .i.xd4 l:txb4 1 6 .i.f2 lhb2 leaving him a pawn up) 1 4 . . . .i.xc6 1 5 axb4 l:txb4 1 6 l:txa7 l:txb2 1 7 e5 (White can also try 17 (£)d5 .i.xd5 1 8 exd5 with a sl ight edge) 1 7 . . . .i.xg2 1 8 �xg2 {£)c7 1 9 exd6 exd6 20 (£)a4 l:ta2 2 1 i.b6 "'e8 ! 22 l:txc7 'iWxa4 23 "'xd6 l:txc2+ 24 l:txc2 'iWxc2+ 25 i.f2 'iWe4+ 26 �g l Y2- Y2 Spassky­ Fischer, Belgrade 1 992. b) 1 1 'iWd2 b4 1 2 (£)d l and now: b l ) 12 . . . {£)e8 13 f5 {£)d4 14 g4 .i.c6 (or 1 4 . . . a5 1 5 (£)xd4 cxd4 1 6 i.h6 "'c7 1 7 .i.xg7 �xg7 1 8 a3 ! gave White counterplay on the a-file in Turner-Hennigan, British Ch 1 995) 1 5 {£)g3 "'c7 1 6 c3 bxc3 1 7 bxc3 "'a5?! 1 8 cxd4 "'xd2 1 9 .i.xd2 i.xd4+ 20 {£)f2 .i.xa 1 2 1 l:txa 1 with the better position for

Systems with ltJge2 1 1 5 White, thanks to h is two pieces for Ihe rook, Yodornov-Bellaiche, World Junior Ch, Oropesa del Mar 2000. b2) 1 2 . . .'ifb6 1 3 g4 ( 1 3 c 3 i s also possible) 1 3 . . . ltJd4 1 4 ltJg3 i.c6 I S ::t f2 with equal chances, Day­ A.l vanov, Montreal Zonal 1 98 1 . 1 O bS I I ltJg3 . . .

�xg7 2 1 l:tf2 f6 22 g5 fxg5, Maus­ B6nsch, Gennany Team Ch 1 993, and now 23 "xg5 ! would have maintained White's strong attack. b) 1 2 . . . ltJe8 13 f5 as 1 4 l::tb l a4 I S .i.g5 a3 1 6 b3 ltJd4 1 7 .d2 .i.c6 1 8 .i.h6 �6 (not 1 8 . . . i.xh6 1 9 .xh6 ltJxc2? when 20 l:tbc I ltJd4 2 1 ltJxd4 cxd4 22 l:txc6 wins) 1 9 h8 20 h3 l:tae8 21 c4 dxc3 22 ..wxc3 f6 23 l:te l l:tg8+

The white king will now hide in the corner which suggests that 23 . . . 1%c8 ! 24 'ifb3 ..wd4 is a better way for Black to try and attack. 24 �h2

could also have finished the game in style with 32 'i'xe5+ ! l:txe5 33 l:txf8 mate. It is clear from the many examples in this book that the Closed Sicilian owes a lot in its develop- ment to the influence of former world champion Spassky. In the following encounter he uses a slightly different move-order to try and outfox Karpov. The honours are even and, once again, even with a top player conducting the Black pieces, there is no magic formula to wrest the initiative from White. Spassky-Karpov

Bugojno 1 986

I e4 c5 2 tiJc3 tiJc6 3 g3 g6 4 �g2 �g7 5 d3 d6 6 tiJge2 e6

Black declares his intention to de­ velop the king's knight to e7, which is a set-uy used in the main lines. 7 0-0 ttJge7

The position IS equal although White does well to conjure up attacking opportunities. The game concluded: 24 l:te7 25 l:tee2 l:teg7 Weaker is 25 . . :.xa2, capturing an unimportant pawn, when 26 fxe5 'i'd5 27 l:txf6 is better for White. 26 'i'c4 26 fxe5? allows Black to create a mating net after 26 . . . l:tg l 27 l:te4 'i'd7! 28 exf6 l:th l + ! 29 �xh l mate. ..wxh3+ 30 l:th2 'i'fi • . .

26 'i'd7 27 fxe5 fxe5 28 ..we4 l:tg5 29 h4 l:th5 30 l:tg2 l:tfS 3 1 l:tef2 l:thf5? 3 1 . l:tf7 is the best chance for survival. 32 ..wg4 1 -0 White . • •

. .

8 �g5! ?

The bishop pins the knight i n the hope of confusing Black. Basically, the idea as usual is 'i'd2 and �h6 to exchange the dark-squared bishops. 8 f4 is examined in the next example, while 8 .i.e3 is similar to the main g ame. For instance: a) 8 . . . �d7 9 'i'd2 h5!? (a novel idea to stop �e3-h6 and conjure up

Systems with 4Jge2 123 kingside play) 1 0 h3 4Jd4 1 1 4Jd 1 t!5 1 2 c3 liJdc6 1 3 d4 (with the hlack king still in the centre it makes sense to try and open the position for a possible attack) 1 3 . . ...c8 1 4 'it>h2 h4 1 5 g4 fS 1 6 t!xf5 gxf5 1 7 dxc5 fxg4 1 8 cxd6 gxh3 1 9 �e4 4Jg8 ( 1 9 . . . 4JfS is stronger when 20 �c5 �h6 2 1 lOe3 is double-edged) 20 l:tg l �f8 21 i.g5 "e8 22 liJe3 4Jh6 23 l:tafl lOd8 24 �e7+ 'it'g8 25 lhg7+ �xg7 26 l:tg l + 1 -0 Stanojevic­ Mrozinski, Dortmund 1 987. b) 8 . . . 0-0 b I ) 9 "d2, intending i.h6, is the usual idea, which tends to transpose 10 the main game. b2) 9 f4 l:tb8 1 0 a4 liJd4 1 1 "d2 a6 1 2 i.f2 liJxe2+ 13 "xe2 4Jc6 1 4 "d2 ( 1 4 4Jd I , with the idea o f c2-c3, is worth considering) 14 . . . 4Jd4 1 5 l:tab l i.d7 1 6 b4 "c7 1 7 b5 "a5 1 8 �e l "xc3 ! 0- 1 Forman-Civin, Czech Junior Ch 1996. b3 ) 9 d4 d5 (9 . . . b6 ! ? is 'possible) 1 0 exd5 exd5 1 1 �g5 liJxd4 1 2 liJxd4 cxd4 1 3 4Jxd5 f6 1 4 4Jxe7+ "xe7 1 5 i.f4 'W'b4 1 6 c3 "xb2 1 7 "xd4 gave White the slightly better chances , in Mortensen-Jacobsen, Nordic Team Ch 1 985 due to the pressure on the queenside pawns. 8

. . .

0-0

Also possible: a) 8 . . . a6? ! (in general . . . l:tb8, like the main game intending . . . b7-b5, is a better way to launch a queen­ side advance because it saves a move on a later . . . a7-a5) 9 "d2 (sometimes it is not clear what to do when Black plays something odd but with this line White has the standard plan of strengthening the c l -h6 diagonal and launching a kingside pawn storm) 9 . . . h6 1 0 i.e3 'W'b6 1 1 l:tab I "c7 1 2 f4 �d7

13 a3 l:td8 1 4 g4 h5 1 5 f5 (a posi­ tion to please any fan of the Closed because the f-pawn once again causes mayhem) 1 5 . . . exf5 1 6 gxf5 gxf5 1 7 exf5 �xf5 (an old source suggests 1 7 . . . 4JxfS but the white attack looks ominous to me after 1 8 ttJd5 'W'b8 1 9 �g5 4Jce7 20 4Jxe7 4Jxe7 2 1 �xe7 hl l:c6 20 h3

1 28 Systems with 0,ge2 To give the king more space since 20 �xc6?! hands Black the initiat­ ive after 20 . . . �xc6+ 2 1 l:tf3 'ii'h4 22 ':afl �f6, when the threat of . . . ':g3 is awkward for White.

20 ...'ii'h4 21 �h2 ':b6 22 �d5 ':e8 23 ':ae 1 a5

A sign that Black has run out of possible tricks. White can now consolidate. 24 'ii'g2 ':bb8 25 l:tgl 'ii'f6 26 d4 �e6 27 �xe6 l:txe6 28 dxe5 dxe5

29 i.. d 4!

The start of an impressive com­ bination based on his control of the g-fiIe, which can be traced back to 1 0 . . . gxfS . The game concluded:

29 . . . exd4 30 ':xe6 ikfi 3 1 exd4 �xd4 32 l:tgel ':g8 33 'ii'xg8+ �xg8 34 ':e8+ �g7 35 ':8e7 �xb2 36 ':xfi+ �xfi 37 ':bl �e3 38 ':b5 �e6 39 �g3 h5 40 �h4 �f6+ 4 1 �xh5 1-0 Summary

The game, King-Miralles, shows how tricky 6 0,ge2 can be against

the 6 . . . 0,f6 set-up and how Black can soon land in trouble. It is note­ worthy how White grabs more space on the queenside before se­ curing the advantage by a spectacu­ lar looking tactic. Brufman-Valols is an example of a classic attack by White. The plan of �c l -e3, 'Wd l -d2 and �e3-h6, is geared to exchang­ ing Black's key defender, the bishop on g7. After Black takes evasive action, a pawn avalanche on the kingside proves to be too much and White triumphs. Knoppert - Van Wely is a reminder that Black also has decent chances if he can rapidly create counterplay on the queenside. There is always room for new ideas in the Closed and Short-Stohl is an example of a new method to play against 6 . . . eS. The former world title challenger shocks his opponent with 7 h4-an aggressive advance which would also do well at club level . An important transposition is highlighted after White's ninth move in Kosten-Hennlgan, because the position can also arise after 6 �e3 . A meeting of two players who have each specialised in 6 0,ge2 makes things just a l ittle bit more interesting. Spassky-Karpov sees Black avoiding any of the usual pit­ falls and achieving equality. Finally, Hoen-Cloealtea is a typical example of White concentrating on a kingside pawn storm. This can be very awkward but Black's defensive resources in this game should be noted by anyone who wishes to play the position for either side.

Systems with ttJh3

10

Developing the knight on the edge

of the board is nowadays regarded

as something of a surprise weapon. An obvious idea is to clear the f-file so that the white rook can assist with the advance £2-f4-fS. However, it is rather committal and in general it is believed there are more options available in other lines. Smyslov-Romanishin

USSR Ch 1 976

I e4 cS 2 4Jc3 lL'lc6 3 g3 g6 4 Ji,g2 �g7 S d3 d6 6 lL'lh3

White displays an independent streak by developing the knight on h3. 6 . . . hS

A look in the books tells us that this is the move that White should worry about because Black can instal l a bishop on g4. Nevertheless the practical results tend to be en­ couraging for White. Instead, 6 . . . e5

transposes to the chapter 6 f4 eS, such as the main game Krapivin­ Morozov. 6 . . . lL'lf6 and 6 . . . e6 are discussed later in the chapter. 7 (4

A consistent approach, in keeping with other lines of the Closed. It is easy to go wrong and the game Hassan-Rameshl Dubai 200 I , is a warning to White where, after 7 lL'lf4?!, casual play is punished: 7 . . . lL'ld4 8 h3 lL'lf6 9 Ji,e3 "as 1 0 "d2 lL'ld7 I I llc l e6 1 2 llb l ( 1 2 O-O ! ? lL'leS 1 3 "d I is slightly better for Black) 1 2 . . . lL'le5 1 3 Ji,xd4 cxd4 14 lL'lce2 ( 1 4 lL'ld l "xa2 leaves Black a pawn up) 14 . . .'ir'xd2+ I S �xd2 gS! when White had no de­ cent square left for his f4 knight. It should be noted that one of the reasons why 6 . . . hS has got such a great reputation is that Kasparov employed it against Hug in a simul­ taneous display in Zurich 1 987. That game went 7 lL'ld5 �g4 8 f3 Ji,xh3 9 .txh3 e6 1 0 lL'le3 h4 1 1 f4 hxg3 1 2 hxg3 dS 1 3 exdS exdS 1 4 �g2 llxh l + I S �xh I lL'lf6 . 1 6 �d2 "e7 1 7 �f2 0-0-0 1 8 'ir'n with equal chances. 7

. • •

.i.g4 8 "d2 lL'ld4 9 lL'lg I !

A t first glance this may seem like a rather foolish move but it is the best way to deal with the threat of . . . lL'lf3+. It seems a backward step but White can now gain time by pushing away the light-squared bishop with h3.

1 30 Systems with CiJh3 ltJc3 .dS 32 ltJb5 winning) 3 1 ltJc3 1:th6 (3 1 . . ..dS loses after 32 ltJb5) 32 ltJe4 1 -0.

1 0 h3 i.e6 I I ltJce2 h4 1 2 g4 f5 13 exf5 gxfS 14 g5

A clever way of stopping Black from developing the kingside be­ cause the knight on gS cannot move. Therefore, White has the privilege of continuously improving his posi­ tion while Romanishin struggles to get his pieces into the action. •d7 Smyslov suggt:sted 9 •a5 as a possible al ternative and 1 think 1 0 h3 ltJd7 I I ltJf3 i s equal. Shaw­ Vaisser, European Club Ch 1 993, saw the French GM play 9 . . . e5, which is suggested by ECO as being unclear. After 1 0 ltJd5 exf4 1 1 gxf4 ltJf6 1 2 ltJxf6+ .xf6 1 3 c3 ltJc6 1 4 ltJf3 i.xf3 1 5 i.xf3 g 5 1 6 i.g2 g4 1 7 .f2 White had the superior chances because Black's king is vulnerable in the middle of the board, although upon 1 7 . . :ii'e 7 I S i.e3 i.f6 1 9 0-0-0 l:tcS 2 0 �b I b6 2 1 h3 (White is still better) 2 1 . . . l:tgS the game was drawn. Also possible is 9 . . . .i.d7 and once again Scottish international Shaw is sup­ porting White's cause, in this case against Etchegary in a game played at Cappelle la Grande 1 994. There followed 1 0 h3 e5 I I ltJd5 ltJe7 1 2 ltJxe7 .xe7 1 3 c3 (as usual White takes the chance to oust the centra­ I ised knight on d4) 1 3 . . . ltJe6 1 4 f5 ltJc7 1 5 .f2 i.f6 1 6 ltJe2 gxf5 1 7 exf5 0-0-0 I S 0-0 i.b5 1 9 c4 i.c6 20 i.xc6 bxc6 2 1 i.e3 l:tdgS 22 1:tab l i.g5 (22 . . . e4!? should be con­ sidered) 23 b4 cxb4 24 l:txb4 c5 25 l:tb3 .i.xe3 26 .xe3 'ii'g5 27 'ii' f3 �d7 2S 1:tfb l .dS? (2S . . . h4 is well met by 29 g4 to block the kingside) 29 l:tb7 .as 30 .d5 1:tf8 (30 . . .l:th7 is insufficient to save Black after 3 1 9

• • •

. . .

14

. . •

0-0-0 15 ltJxd4 cxd4 1 6 ltJe2

i.f7 1 7 c3 dxc3 1 8 bxc3 �b8 1 9 l:tb l

The semi-open b-file is pertect for the rook and White can create strong attacking chances without worrying about any possible counterplay on the kingside. 19 . . . d5 20 0-0 e5 21 fxe5 i.xe5 22 d4 i.c7 23 c4!

The pawn is obviously taboo due to 24 l:txb7+ but the key factor is that now the white queen can come to the b-file and can meet a potential . . . i.b6 with c4-c5. 23 . . . ltJe7 24 c5

1 think 24 'ii'b4 ! ? is also good when, after 24 . . . i.d6 25 c5 i.g3 26 l:tf3, White is threatening to take on g3 and swing the king's rook across to b3 . 24 . . . l:tdg8 25 'Wb4 i.d8 26 1:t13 ltJc6 27 'Wb5 i.h5 28 1:tfb3 1:tg7

Systems with tOh3 1 3 1 An attempt to add weight to the defence of b7. Or 28 . . . �cS 29 tOf� (29 'ii'xb7+!? is less clear-cut upon 29 . . :il'xb7 30 lhb7 �xe2 3 1 i.xd5 i.xg5 { 3 1 . . . tOxd4? fails because of 32 l:tb8+ �d7 33 ':' l b7+ i..c 7 34 l:txgS l:txg8 35 i.xgS winning} 32 'i>f2 i.a6 33 i..e 6+ with an advantage for White) 29 . . . i..x g5 30 'ii'xb7+ 'ii'x b7 3 1 l:txb7 and Black is busted. 29 tOf4

29 'ii'a 6! also looks good with White on course for victory after 29 . . . 'ii'c s (29 . . . l:thgS allows 30 l:txb7+ 'ii'x b7 3 1 i.f4+ �aS 32 l:txb7 l:txb7 34 'ii'x c6 winning) 30 i.xd5 i.xe2 3 1 i.f4+ �aS 32 'ii'x c6! 'ii'x c6 33 i.xc6 with a big advantage. 29 . . . �x g5 I f 29 . . . ttJxd4 then 30 1i'xd7 1:txd7 3 I ':'d3 is good for White. 30 tOxh5 l:txh5 31 'ii'e2 i.xcl ?

I n the circumstances, 3 1 . . . :hh7 is the best option, although 32 l:txb7+ 'ii'x b7 33 l:txb7+ �xb7 34 �xg5 l:txg5 35 �f1 is still in White's favour.

32 l:txb7+! 'ii'x b7 33 'ii'e8+ �c7 34 1:txb7+ �xb7 35 1i'xh5 tOxd4 36 �n

There is no need to be greedy be­ cause taking the pawn by 36 'ii'x h4?? loses after 36 . . . tOf3+.

36 . . . i..e3 37 'ii'h 8 l:td7 38 'ii'e8 1-0

This game seemed to inspire the loser because 6 tOh3 then became part of h is repertoire. Romanishin-Yudasin

Moscow 1 9S3

1 e4 cS 2 tOe3 tOc6 3 g3 g6 4 i.g2 i.g7 5 d3 d6 6 tOh3 tOf6

Black continues with h i s develop­ ment and prepares . . . i.g4. 7 0-0 �g4 A consistent approach to try and exploit the fact that the knight is on h3. Also occasionally seen is the adventurous 7 . . . h5, when, in Shche­ kachev-Kotronias, Reykjavik 1 994, White tried the interesting S f3 ! ? to meet S . . . h4 with 9 g4. The game continued S . . . b6 9 l:tb l i.b7 1 0 tOg5 tOh7 I I tOxh7 :xh7 1 2 f4 ..-d7 1 3 tOd5 e6 1 4 tOe3 0-0-0 1 5 a3 h4 1 6 g4 h3 1 7 i.h I d5 I S b4 with a sl ight edge for White. But 7 . . . 0-0 deserves serious consideration: a) S �g5 l:tbS 9 1i'd2 tDd4 1 0 f3 b5 1 I l:tae l b4 1 2 tOe2 a5 1 3 g4 ! (White will have decent play on the kingside after manoeuvering his knight to g3) 1 3 . . . 1i'c7 14 tOg3 Y:z-Y:z Hug-Ozindzichashvili, Geneva 1 977. b) S f4 i.g4 and now: b l ) 9 1i'e l tOd4 1 0 -.f2 h6 1 I �hl b5 1 2 tOg l b4 1 3 tOd l tOh5 1 4 tOe3 i.d7 1 5 g4 tOf6 1 6 f5 tOc6 1 7 h4 gave White excellent chances on the kingside in Shakhov-Nikanorov, St Petersburg 1 997, but this much­ quoted game has a flaw that could have presented Black with an easy victory after 1 3 . . . i.e2 ! since 1 4 l:t e I , to avoid the loss o f the exchange, fails to 14 . . . tOg4 and the white queen is lost.

132 Systems with ltJh3 b2) 9 'i'd2 ltJd4 I 0 �h I ltJh5 (or I O . . Jlc8 1 1 ltJg I h5? 1 2 f5 ! gxf5 13 h3 gave White a winning advan­ tage in Shaw-Arakhamia Grant, Isle of Man 1 993) I I ltJd5 'i'd7 12 ltJg I f5 1 3 c3 ltJc6 1 4 ltJe3 e5 1 5 ltJxg4 fxg4 1 6 f5 gxf5 1 7 'i'g5 ltJf6 1 8 'i'xf5 Vr'l2 Suttles-Bilek, Sousse Interzonal 1 967. c) 8 �h I l:tb8 (8 . . . ltJd4 9 f4 .i.g4 1 0 'i'd2 transposes to the previous note 'b2 ' ) 9 t� b5 1 0 ltJd5 ltJxd5 1 1 exd5 ltJb4 1 2 ltJf2 .i.b7 1 3 c4 Yr '/2 Hug-Robatsch. Malta Olympiad 1 980.

equal chances) 1 6 .i.c I l:tf7 1 7 .i.g2 'ii'd 7 1 8 ltJf2 lId8 19 c3 b5 20 exd5 exd5 2 1 .i.d2 c4 22 'ii'f3 ltJe7 23 dxc4 bxc4 (23 . . . dxc4 24 .i.e3 ltJed5 25 l:td I gives White a slight edge) 24 b3 ltJc8 25 bxc4 dxc4 26 .i.c l �a4 27 lid I l:tdf8 28 .i.e3 ! ltJb6 (or 28 . . . 'i'xa2?! 29 .i.c5 lIe8 30 'ii'c6 'ii'a6 3 1 .i.d5 'ii'xc6 32 .i.c6 when White is better) 29 .i.c5 gave White a slight initiative although the game was eventually drawn. 10 . . . ltJe8 1 1 fS

8 f3 .i.xh3 9 .i.xh3 0-0

9 . . . d5 was seen in Hartmann­ Kunsztowicz, Bad Neuenahr 1 982, where White retained a slight pull in the middlegame with the standard advance of the kingside pawns. He even created a clever tactical idea after 1 0 'ite2 ltJd4 ( l O . . . dxe4 ! ? 1 1 fxe4 0-0 1 2 i.e3 when White has a slight edge) 1 1 _Cl 0-0 1 2 f4 e6 1 3 e5 ltJe8 1 4 ltJd l .:Ic8 1 5 b4! (with the queen on f2 White spots a trick based on the need for the c-pawn to support the knight on d4) 1 5 . . . b6 1 6 c3 ltJc6 ( 1 6 . . . ltJb5 1 7 a4 ltJc7 1 8 bxc5 bxc5 1 9 �xc5) 1 7 bxc5 bxc5 1 8 .i.a3 ltJc7 19 .i.xc5 and White had an extra pawn. 10 f4

White advances the f-pawn as part of his usual plan of kingside expan­ sion. 1 0 .i.e3 is an interesting alternative, after which White aims to complete his development by transferring the queen' s rook to the centre. Spassky-Petrosian, World Championship, Moscow 1 966, continued 1 0 . . . ltJe8 I 1 'i'd2 ltJc7 1 2 :tae I b6 1 3 ltJd I (if White is looking for a possible improvement on this classic game then 1 3 .i.h6 should be considered) 1 3 . . . d5 1 4 'i'e2 e6 1 5 t� 1'5 (the position offers

White gains space with typical advance of the f-pawn.

this

I I . .. ltJc7 1 2 ttJdS ltJxdS 13 exd5 ltJeS

Yudasin responds to White's kingside ambitions by centralising his knight. However, White has a slight edge and can carry on with his plan of .i.f4, 'i'd2 and doubling the rooks on the f-fiIe. 14 c3 �b6 I s :n c4

Black seeks another square for his knight before White plays .i.t�.

16 d4 ltJd3 1 7 l:te2 ltJxc l 1 8 'i'xcl .i.f6 1 9 'ii'h6 .i. g 7 20 'i'd2 i.f6 2 1 .i.g2 gS?!

I n a difficult position Black chooses a risky plan of weakening his kingside pawn barrier and rely­ ing on the dark-squared bishop to fend off the mass of white pieces poised for attack on the kingside.

Systems with CL\J/3 IH 22 ::te4 �h8 23 ::tael '*Ic7 24 .e2 bS 2S W'hS

This rules out White 's ideas of in­ stalling a knight on dS. More im­ portantly it is in keeping with the main line where Black develops with . . . tbge7 and castles kingside.

2S . . Jhe8 26 a3 as 27 ::tg4 b4 28 i.e4!

The normal continuation and probably best, although it is worth noting the course of the game, Romanishin-Lerner, Moscow 1 983, where White tried to provoke complications: 7 i.gS tbge7 8 'Wc l ( 8 W'd2 is a nice way to try and transpose back into the main game by employing an unusual move­ order) 8 . . . tbd4 9 0-0 0-0 1 0 i.h6 eS I I .i.xg7 �xg7 12 cJr>h l f6 1 3 f4 i.e6 1 4 'ifd2 (the opening has not been a complete success because 8 'ii'd2 would have saved White a move) 1 4 . . . '*Id7 I S tbg l .l:.ae8 1 6 ::t1'2 with roughly equal chances.

White has to work out how to in­ crease the pressure on the h7 square -the weakest point in Black's position. Now Black has to face the poten­ tial threat of fS-f6. unleashing the bishop. 28 •b6 29 h4! . • •

7 0-0

7

• . •

tbge7

An excellent move that leaves Black's position in tatters. The point is that 29 . . . gxh4 runs into 30 ':xh4 ! i.xh4 3 1 f6 and the threat of W'xh7 brings the game to a sudden halt. 29 bxc3 30 bxc3 'ifb2 31 hxgS .xc3 32 l:th4 'it'xe l + 33 �g2 1-0 • . .

The regular set-up against 6 tbh3 tends to be 6 . . . e6, intending . . . ltJge7 and 0-0, which is also employed against the main line. White responds in a familiar way by playing i.c l -e3 followed by 'ii'd l -d2 with the aim of exchanging dark-squared bishops after i.e3-h6. Sulskis-Efimenko

European Ch, Ohrid 200 I 1 e4 cS 2 g3 tbc6 3 i.g2 g6 4 d3 i.g7 S tbc3 d6 6 tbh3 e6

8 i.e3

White intends to exchange dark­ squared bishops with W'd2 and i.h6, depriving Black of a key defender. There is a possible alternative in 8 f� when, aner 8 . . . 0-0, White has tried a number of alternatives: a) 9 fS? (a reckless sacrifice whose only merit lies in securing the dS square for a knight) 9 . . . exfS 1 0 tbf4 fxe4 1 1 dxe4 tbeS 1 2 tbfdS tbxdS 1 3 tbxdS i.g4 14 'it'e I i.e6

134 Systems with ttJh3 I S 'ii'd I bS and Black was a pawn up for nothing, Halser-Palac, Feldbach 1 997. b) 9 g4 fS (a good reply to dash any hopes of f4-fS) 1 0 gxfS gxfS ( I O . . . exfS ! ? should be considered to keep the king safe on a closed g­ file) I I �h l �d7 1 2 ttJe2 �e8 1 3 lLlg3 .d7 1 4 c 3 .l:.b8 I S exfS ttJxfS lor I S . . . cxfS 1 6 :tg I .i:.g6 1 7 ttJhS with a sl ight edge) 1 6 ttJxfS exfS 1 7 ttJgS �h8 1 8 .i:.e3 led to equal ity in McNab-Ziiger, Dortmund 1 980. c) 9 �d2 :b8 1 O J:tb l bS 1 1 a3 aS 12 a4!

A classic way to try and stem Black's counterplay by preparing to put a knight on bS. 1 2 . . . b4 (not 12 . . . �xc3?! giving up the important dark-squared bishop when 1 3 �xc3 bxa4 1 4 .l:.a l allows White to restore material equal ity and still dominate the a I -h8 diagonal) 1 3 ttJbS ttJd4 1 4 c4 fS I S �e3 fxe4 1 6 dxe4 dS?! ( 1 6 . . . 'ifb6, to support the knight on d4, is a possible improvement) 1 7 �xd4 cxd4 1 8 cxdS exdS 1 9 eS ttJfS 20 l:W 'iti>h8 2 1 .d2 'ifb6 22 4:JgS �d7 23 �xdS when the threat of lLlf7+ gave White the better game in Fedorov-Fil ippov, Maikop 1 998. d) 9 �e3 ! ? (the problem with having a bishop on e3 is that, com­ pnred to normal lines, the option of

d3-d4 is no longer available because his knight is on h3-and this makes White vulnerable to a fork after . . . d6-dS-d4) 9 . . . b6 1 0 l:tb l ( 1 0 'ii'd 2 ! ? is a reasonable alternative) 1 0 . . . �b7 1 1 ttJf2 ( 1 1 �h I is poss­ ible to retreat the bishop to the king­ side after 1 1 . . . dS 1 2 .i:.g I when Black is slightly better) I I . . dS 1 2 .i:.d2 'ii'd 7 1 3 eS f6 1 4 exf6 �xf6 I S .i:.h3 l:.ae8 1 6 ttJe2?! (a passive response whereas 1 6 a3, intending b2-b4, would be far more positive) 16 . . . ttJfS 1 7 c3 �g7 1 8 g4 ttJh4 1 9 ttJg3 .c7 2 0 .e2 gS! ( a great at­ tacking idea designed to gain the eS square) 2 1 fxgS lLle5 22 �g2 ttJef3+ 23 �xf3 ttJxf3+ 24 'iti>h 1 �eS 25 lIg I (2S �g2 is met by 2S . . . ttJxh2 ! giving Black a winning advantage) 25 . . .d4 26 ttJfe4 c4! (Black continues to play energeti­ cally and does well to undermine the knight on e4 which blockades the h l -a8 diagonal) 27 J:tg2 cxd3 28 'ii'x d3 'ii'c6 29 l:.e2 ttJxd2 30 'ii'x d2 dxc3 3 1 bxc3 .i:.xg3 32 hxg3 'ii'xe4+ 0- 1 Padevsky-Mainka, Dortmund 1 99 1 . .

8

. . .

0-0

Black carries on with developing his kingside. Others: a) 8 . . . b6 9 'ii'd2 h6 and now:

a l ) 10 4:Jf4 �b7 1 1 :tab l .d7 1 2 ttJce2 eS!? ( 1 2 . . . 0-0 ! ?) 1 3 4JdS

Systems with tDh3 J 35 ttJxd5 1 4 exd5 tDe7 1 5 c4 g5 1 6 f4 exf4 1 7 gxf4 g4 (if 1 7 . . . gxf4 I S tiJxt� gives White good piece play IInd, after I S . . . O-O-O? alIows 1 9 tt-'lh5 hitting the bishop on g7 and uncovering an attack on f7, with a clear advantage) I S tDg3 h5 1 9 f5 .ie5 20 d4 cxd4 2 1 .i.xd4 i.xd4+ 22 'WWxd4 0-0-0 23 f6 tDg6 24 .i.e4 l?lh4 (or 24 . . . �bS 25 .i.xg6 fxg6 26 l:[be I , threatening l:te7, is better for White) 25 .i.f5 tDxf5 26 tDxf5 �bS 27 l:lbe l �a4 2S l:I.e7 .i.cS 29 c5 "'c2 30 c6 l:tdgS 3 1 tDe3 'ii'e 2 32 lDc4 �c2 33 l:txa7 ! 1 -0 Augustin­ Kavalek, Luhacovice 1 965. a2) \0 l:I.ae I .i.b7 1 1 f4 f5 12 e5?! ( 1 2 tDf2 has been suggested as a possible improvement, while 1 2 cxf5 exf5 1 3 lth I , intending lilh3-g 1 -f3 , is another idea but hardly inspiring for White) 12 . . . dxe5 1 3 fxe5 g5! (a clever move because the weak e5 pawn is not going anywhere and 1 3 . . . .i.xe5? is revealed to be weak after 1 4 i.xc5 .i.xc3 1 5 �xc3 and White wins) 14 tDb5 .i.xe5 1 5 .i.f2 ( 1 5 i.xg5 hxg5 1 6 l:I.xe5 tDxe5 1 7 i.xb7 l:I.bS is better for Black) 15 . . .tDg6 16 �d I 0-0 1 7 c3 a6 I S lDa3 �e7 1 9 tDc4 g4 20 tDf4 .i.xf4 2 1 gxf4 b5 22 tDb6 l:I.ad8 23 �d2 q)a5 24 .i.xb7 (24 c4 is best refuted by 24 . . . .i.xg2! 25 �xg2 �b7+ and the knight on b6 wilI leave the board) 24 . . . tDxb7 25 b4 �d6 26 �e3 (26 bxc5 does not save the position after 26 . . . tDxc5 27 i.xc5 �xc5+ 2S 'ii'e 3 �xe3+ 29 l:txe3 l:[d6 and Black wins) 26 . . . �xb6 27 bxc5 �c6 2S 'ii'xe6+ 0- 1 Malmo Romanishin-Petursson, 1 993. b) S . . . tDd4 9 f4 (9 'ii'd 2 trans­ poses to the main game after 9 . . . 0-0) 9 . . . 0-0 \ 0 �d2 l:tbS I I tDd l f5 1 2 c3 tDdc6 1 3 �h l b6 1 4

.i.g I (take a look at the knight on h3 and note how l ittle it is doing) 14 . . . d5 1 5 exd5 tDxd5 1 6 tDe3 tDxe3 1 7 .ixe3 'WWd6 I S a3 led to equal chances in Spraggett-Yrjola, Yerevan Olympiad 1 996. 9 �d2

9 . . . tDd4 As usual in this l ine Black plants a knight on d4. Also possible: a) 9 . . . e5?! (an idea that is not highly thought of because the black pawn has taken two moves to reach e5 instead of one) 1 0 f4 1'5 I I fxe5 tDxe5 (Black would l ike to play 1 1 . . . dxe5? to maintain control of the d4 square but then 1 2 .i.xc5 simply wins a pawn) 12 .i.h6 .i.c6 13 i.xg7 �xg7 14 tDf� 'ii'd7 1 5 tDxe6+ 'ii'xe6 1 6 l:tae I gave W hite an edge in Tkachiev-Gelfand, FIDE-World Ch, Groningen 1 997. b) 9 . . . b6 \ 0 i.h6 i.b7 1 1 .i.xg7 '.txg7 1 2 f4 f5 ( 1 2 . . . f6!? is also possible) 1 3 tDg5 'ii'd7 14 l:tae I (the threat is 1 5 exf5 exf5 1 6 tDe6+) 14 . . . h6 1 5 tDf3 l:taeS 1 6 d4 fxe4 1 7 tDxe4 d5? ( 1 7 . . . l:tdS ! ? is necessary) I S dxc 5 ! tDgS ( I S . . . l:tdS is met by 1 9 l:td I ) 1 9 tDd6 and White was a pawn up in Shaw-Britton, Sheffield 1 996. c) 9 . . . l:teS (an interesting way to avoid the exchange of bishops) \ 0 l:lab I b6 1 1 .i.h6 i.hS 12 f4 .i.d7 1 3

1 3 6 Systems with tjjh 3 g4 fS 1 4 gxfS exfS I S :be I a6 1 6 ttJgS �g7 1 7 �xg7 �xg7 1 8 ltJO with equal chances, Day-Spassky, Montreal 1 97 1 . d) 9 . . . :b8 1 0 �h6 eS ( l O . . . bS is met by I I i.xg7 �xg7 12 fg8 1 8 i.xc6 -'xc6 1 9 ttJfS gxfs 20 'ii'g s+ Wh8 2 1 'ii'f6+ �g8 22 'ii'g s+ 'it'h8 2 3 -.f6+ 'it>g8 112- 112 Shchupaleev­ l3elov, Serpukhov 1 999. 8 . 0-0 ..

The natural move which allows White to carry out his plan of linding the king's knight a decent outpost. Black has tried a variety of alternatives: a) 8 . . .ttJd4 (slightly premature in view of the fact that the knight can be forced back by a future c2-c3) 9 lbc4 0-0 1 0 ttJe3 :b8 1 1 ttJcds ttJxd5 1 2 ttJxds i.e6 1 3 c3 ttJc6 1 4 a 3 a s I S a4 when the strong knight on ds and space advantage gave White an advantage in B ilek­ Barczay, Sousse Interzonal 1 967. b) 8 ... .:b8 9 a4 a6 10 ttJc4 b5 1 1 axbs axb5 1 2 ttJe3 0-0 1 3 ttJcd5 ltJxds (or 1 3 ... fS 1 4 exfS gxf5 1 5 f4 gives White a chance to undennine Black's pawn chain) 1 4 ttJxd5 ttJe7 1 5 i.g5 f6 1 6 ttJxe7+ 'ii'x e7 1 7 i.e3 i.b7 1 8 'ii'd 2 b4 1 9 :a7 ':a8 20 ':fa I l:1xa7 2 1 l:1xa7 :a8 112- 112 Bilek-Smej kal, Skopje Olympiad 1 972. 9 ttJc4 a6 10 a4 l:1b8 1 1 as!

This is the difference compared to note ob' to Black's eighth move. The addition of castling by Black gives White the chance to hamper the advance of the queenside pawns. 1 1 ...i.e6 12 ttJd 5

/ 3 I)

The knight comes to ds to deny Black the opportunity of exchang­ ing on c4 and getting rid of the defender of the as pawn.

12 f5 13 c3 i.fi 14 iLg5 h6 1 5 ttJxe7+ ttJxe7 1 6 i.xe7 'ii' x e7 1 7 exf5 gxf5 1 8 ttJb6 :fd8 1 9 i.d5! •.•

An instructive way to secure the ds square for the knight. After swapping ofT the l ight-squared bishops his knight will dominate the position. On the other hand an immediate 1 9 ttJd5 is met by 1 9 ... iL.xd5 and White's advantage begins to evaporate. 19 ... iL.xd5 20 ttJxd5 'ii'fi 2 1 'ii'fJ ':e8 22 ':abl e4 23 dxe4 fxe4

If 23 ....:xe4 then 24 ':bd I protects the knight and White can double rooks on the d-fiIe in order to pile up on the backward pawn on d6. 24 'ii'x fi+ �xfi 25 :bd l

140 Systems with tiJp The strong knight on d5 gives White a superior ending. The game concluded: 2S ...l:tbd8 26 f4 exf3 27 ':xf3+ �g6 The king is cut off from the queenside because 27 ... �e6? walks into 28 tiJc7+ losing material. 28 �f2 �eS 29 l:tn l:tf8 30 �e2

J:txf3 3 1 J:txf3 l::.e8 32 �d3 hS 33 'iti>c4 J:th8 34 h3 l:th7 3S tiJc3 l::.d 7 36 �dS The white king is well

tiJf6 2 g3 g6 3 �g2 �g7 4 0-0 0-0 5

d3 d6 6 e4 c5 7 tiJc3 tDc6 8 h3. 8...l:tb8 9 a4

White intends to open the a-file if B lack persists in advancing his queenside pawns. 9... a6 10 �e3

placed to attack Black's weak (lawns. 36 . ..:17 37 l:txti �xti 38 .

lll f5 �f6 39 tiJxd6 1 -0

Black can also dispense with an early . . . e7-e5 and try a queenside pawn advance. White responds with the simple but effective plan of i.e3 and '6'd2 followed by i.e3-h6. Scpp-Danllov

Estonian Team Ch 2000 1 c4 cS 2 tiJc3 tiJc6 3 g3 g6 4 �g2 i.g7 S d3 d6 6 tiJf3 tiJf6

Black favours the development of his king's knight to 1'6, which is a set-up also explored in the chapter on the Kasparov variation. 7 0-0 0-0 8 h3

The pawn is nudged forward to enable the bishop to be developed to c3 without harassment from ... tiJg4. The original move-order was I tiJf3

10

..•

bS! ?

A logical choice in view of Black's preparations. Then again, other moves have been tried: a) 1 0 . . .tDd7 1 I '6'd2 b5 1 2 axb5 axb5 13 �h6 b4 14 �xg7 �xg7 1 5 4Jd5 e6 1 6 tDe3 when White will move the king's knight and advance the f-pawn with approximately equal chances, Schaeter-Lutz, Bad Neuenahr 1 99 1 . b) 1 0 ... �d7 (Black is wary of playing ... b7-b5 when there is a possibility of e4-e5 with a discov­ ered attack against c6) I 1 'iid2 (White follows the standard plan of preparing �e3-h6 to exchange bishops) 1 1 ...l:te8 1 2 �h6 �h8 1 3 tDg5 b5 1 4 axb5 axb5 1 5 f4 c4 1 6 1'5 b4 1 7 tDe2 b3 1 8 d4 bxc2 1 9 'iix c2 tDb4 2 0 'iic 3 Wc8 2 1 b3 ! gxf5 22 bxc4 fxe4 23 l:tab I tDc6 24 l:txb8 tDxb8 25 g4 �e6 26 'iie3 �g7 27 tDxe6 'iixe6 28 'iig5 tDh5 29 'iix h5 �xh6 30 g5 �g7 3 1 �xe4 gave White a winning attack in Martin del Campo-Verduga. Bayamo 1 990.

Systems with �f3 c) I O ... eS is regarded as an Important way of stopping e4-eS and preventing the option of d3-d4. Play might continue: c l ) I I "d2 (again with the idea of i.h6) l l . . .bS 1 2 axbS axbS 1 3 i.h6 ltJe8 1 4 i.xg7 ltJxg7 I S ltJdS i.c6?! ( I S ... f6 is necessary when 1 6 d preserves White's edge) 1 6 "h6 1'6 1 7 ltJxf6+! 1:txf6 1 8 ltJgS l:tb7 1 9 1t'xh7+ �f8 occurred in Milos­ Leitao, Americana 1 995 . White later pointed out that he could have fin­ ished the job quicker by 20 "h8+ ' i.g8 2 1 ltJh7+ �f7 22 ltJxf6 "xf6 23 f4 with a winning advantage. c2) I I ltJe2 ltJd4 1 2 ltJh4 lLlhS 1 3 d ltJe6 1 4 'ifd2 'ife7 I S 'It>h2 .i.d7 16 i.f3 ltJf6 1 7 i.g2 i.c6 1 8 f4 cxf4 1 9 ltJxf4 ltJxf4 20 l:txf4 h6 2 1 l:tf2 �h7 22 as c4 23 .i.f4 l:tbd8 24 l:te I cxd3 2S "'xd3 ltJhS 26 ltJf3 l:tfe8 27 ltJd4 -lld7 28 :en gave White a slight edge and he eventual­ ly won in Hochstrasser-Gallagher, Zurich 2000. 1 1 axb5 axb5 1 2 "d2

This is consistent w ith the stan­ dard plan of i.e3-h6 to exchange the influential bishop on h6. If White is looking for something dif­ ferent then 1 2 e S ! ? is worth check­ ing out, even though it has had a poor reputation ever since Fischer won a famous game in the SOs against it. However there is room for improvement by White. For example: 1 2 ... dxeS 1 3 -ll x cS ltJd7 (or 1 3 . . ...c7 1 4 l:te l b4 I S ltJa4 l:td8 1 6 ltJd2 ltJd4 1 7 ltJc4 ltJds was fine for Black in Mednis-Fischer, USA Ch, New York 1 9S8, but White can do better by not putting the queen's knight on the rim but instead playing I S ltJe4) 14 i.e3

141

'iic 7 I S %le I e 6 1 6 ltJe4 ltJd4 1 7 c3 ltJfS 1 8 i.d2 h6 19 �3 ltJe7 20 'iib4 ltJc6 2 1 'iWb3 (it is best to avoid the ending that arises after 2 1 "d6 'iixd6 22 lLlxd6 ltJcs when the position is roughly equal) 2 1 ...-ll b7 ( 2 l . ..ltJe7 ! ? is also possible) 22 i.e3 ltJe7 23 :a7 ltJc8 24 na3 -lld S 2S 'iib4 l:te8 26 na6 -llf8 27 "as 'ifb7? (27 .....xaS 28 1:txaS %ld8 gives Black a passive but defensible ending) 28 ltJxeS! (a clever way of deflecting the queen 's knight from its defence of the f6 square) 28 ... ltJxeS 29 ltJf6+ �h8 30 -ll x dS (30 i.d4 also looks good) 30 ... exdS 3 1 ltJxe8 ltJf3+ 32 'It>fl ltJe7 (32 ... ltJxe l loses to 3 3 �d4+) 3 3 'iic 7 gave White a clear advantage in Kogan-Summerscale, TeI A viv 1 997. 1 2 ne8 •.•

A common ploy to avoid the exchange of the bishops. However, the scheme is flawed because it allows White to accelerate his attack. I think Black should try 12 ... b4 when a sample line is 1 3 ltJe2 -llb7 1 4 i.h6 �6 with roughly equal chances. 13 �h6 -ll h 8 1 4 ltJg5

The knight makes way for the 1'­ pawn to advance. 1 4 ... b4 15 ltJe2 ltJh5?! White needs no invitation to start a kingside pawn storm. Therefore, I S ...ltJd7 is a better idea although I still prefer White's attacking chances. 16 g4 ltJg7 17 f4 ltJe6 18 ltJxe6 -llxe6 19 f5

As usual the idea of advancing the f-pawn to undermine Black's king­ side barrier is a useful attacking tool.

142 Systems with CUp Kogan-Ashley

Budapest 1 997

I e4 cS 2 CUe3 CUc6 3 g3 g6 4 i.g2 .tg7 S d3 d6 6 CUn e6

1 9 .....id7 20 l:ab l CUd4 2 1 CUf4 ..ic6

Black decides to employ a stan­ dard set-up, designed to facilitate . . . CUge7 and ... 0-0. Incidentally, this game brings to light another trans­ position: the original move-order was I e4 c5 2 CUD d6 3 CUc3 CUc6 4 g3 g6 5 .tg2 i.g7 6 d3 e6.

2 1 ... e6t? is necessary to cover the g5 square with the queen. 22 fxg6 hxg6 23 liJxg6!

The remains of the defensive shell are blown apart by this astute sacrifice. 23 fxg6 24 'W'gS .••

The threat of .xg6+ is lethal. 24 CUe2+ 2S �f2 CUf4 •.•

Black returns the piece in a des­ perate bid to fend ofT the onslaught.

26 ti'xf4 eS 27 'ii'e3 .t f6 28 �gl gS 29 ti'n l:e6

7 .tgS

I l ike this move which not only makes use of the knight on D but also is l ikely to take Black out of his routine. 7 ...CUge7 8 'ii'd2

The theme of i.e3-h6 to exchange dark-squared bishops should be a natural reaction for anyone who plays the Closed Sicil ian. 8 h6 9 .te3 •••

30 i.xgS! 1-0

There are some players who l ike to play the same set-up against any White system. This means that ... e7-e6, to develop the knight to e7, has remained a popular contin­ uation.

Kogan has been denied the chance to swap bishops but now he can stop Black from castling kingside by constant pressure on the h6 pawn. 9... CUd4

Another try is 9. . . e5, aiming to stop d3-d4, but Black is a move down on a similar pawn structure in the main game, Sanduleac-Solca­ nean, although admittedly the ma­ noeuvre tbf3-d2 is no longer reasonable. In the game Smyslov-

Systems lI';th lilfJ

1 43

Kotov, Moscow 1 943, White con­ tinued 1 0 0-0 �e6 1 1 ltJe l "d7 1 2 a 3 �h3 1 3 f4 ltJd4 1 4 l:tb l exf4 1 5 .ixt:t �xg2 1 6 "x g2 0-0 1 7 g4 with roughly equal chances. 10 0-0 ltJec6 I I ltJe I

Also possible is 1 I ltJd I but Black L:an still try 1 1 . . ...a5 even though 12 "xa5 ltJxf3+ 1 3 �xf3 ltJxa5 1 4 d ltJc6 1 5 a4 gives White a slight cdge in the ending thanks to his space advantage. 1 1 . ....aS 1 2 ltJd l "a6?!

The queen is out of the way on a6, which suggests that the American should have entered the ending with 12 . . ...xd2, when the chances are equal. 13 a3

Black would smile after the obvi­ OilS 1 3 c3? since then 1 3 ... ltJb3 ! wins the exchange. 13 ...bS 14 l:bl i.b7 15 h3 �f8

An indication that Rlack thinks that the opening has gone awry be­ I:ause this slow way of getting his king into safety gives White plenty of time to improve his position. 16 f4 f5 17 g4!

A kingside pawn avalanche is part o f White's usual attacking repertoire ilnd is particularly suitable when the hlack king is struggling to find safety. 17 ...'itg8 18 c3 ltJb3 1 9 "c2

The queen attacks the b3 knight, which means Black will concentrate his forces on the queenside. This will inevitably make the defence of the kingside more difficult. At the moment White's pieces look rcstricted but they will soon start ilttacking Black's over-extended pawn structure. 19 ltJcaS 20 exfS �xf5 2 1 gxfS t'xfS 22 i.f2 b4 23 lDe3 :1'8 24 D X b4 cxb4 2S d4 •..

The discovered attack on the weak f5 pawn helps to expose Black's fragile defence. 2S .....b5

Or 25 . . . �xg2 26 ltJ l xg2 �5 27 tOh4 and once again Black will struggle to defend f5. 26 �xb7 "xb7 27 ltJxfS

White is a pawn up and has the better co-ordinated pieces. The game concluded:

27.....d7 28 ltJx g7 �xg7 29 �h2 ':hg8 30 ':gl+ �h8 31 ':xg8+ ':xg8 32 ltJg2 ltJc4 33 "xb3 ltJd2 34 "d l ltJxb l 3S "xbl bxc3 36 bxc3 "c6 37 dS "xc3

If 37 . . ...xd5 then 38 �d4+ wins.

38 "e4 1-0

Summary Sanduleac-Solcanean is a good example of how White can employ the knight manoeuvre ltJf3-d2-c4 to good effect. The new main line is based on playing i.e3 , 'ii'd2 and �e3-h6, which is a policy that is effective in a number of situations. Sepp-Danllov sees White using it to create a strong attack and the game itself is a model example of how to pursue the black king.

12

French Defence set-up

The idea of playing . . . e6 followed by . . . dS is regarded as a solid response. It finds favour with those who wish to avoid the main lines associated with a kingside fianchetto. In reply, White should continue with the usual plan of a kingside fianchetto, exerting pres­ sure against the dS pawn with a bishop on g2 and ensuring a slight edge. This French Defence pawn structure cannot appeal to all Sicil­ ian players because of a move-order trick that often occurs in practice. For example Dragon or Najdorf players are reluctant to advance the e-pawn because after 3 tOo with the intention of 4 d4 they are no longer able to play their favourite opening. This tends to frighten off a great many players who might otherwise be tempted to play this solid set-up. Lane-Nunn

Stroud 1 980

1 e4 cS 2 tOc3 e6

Black prepares the central chal­ lenge . . . d7-dS. 3 g3 d5 4 exd5

It is usual to exchange pawns in the centre. In the game, Van der Weide-Van der Werf, Netherlands Ch, Leeuwarden 200 1 , White tried 4 d3 and was happy to enter the ending after 4 . . . lDf6 S �g2 dxe4 6 dxe4 "ii'xd l + 7 tOxd l when the position is level. However, White gave a good example of how to handle the position after 7 . . . lDc6 8 tOe3 �e7 9 b3 0-0 1 0 �b2 lDd7 1 1 f4 bS 1 2 lDe2 �b7 1 3 0-0-0 tOb6 1 4 e S b4 I S fS (the standard advance of the f-pawn, threatening fS-f6, is a good way to increase the pressure) I S . . . c4?! (a pawn sacrifice to disrupt White 's plans but it is not convincing) 1 6 tDxc4 tOxc4 1 7 bxc4 l:tad8 1 8 f6 ! gxf6 1 9 exf6 �d6 20 :td3 �cS 2 1 l:thd I �b8 22 l:td7, when White's rook invades to the seventh rank and he stands much better. 4

• . .

exdS S d4

French Defence set-lip

A speciality of mine, which is in­ tended to put pressure on Black' s central pawns. 5 cxd4 Nunn wishes to lure the white queen out in the open so that it can be attacked. Also possible: a) 5 . . . lLlc6 6 dxc5 d4 7 lLle4 i.xc5 8 .i.g2 (8 lLlxc5 .a5+ 9 i.d2 .xc5 I 0 �g2 ..tf5 is awkward for White due to the weakness of c2) 8 . . . i.f5 9 lLlxc5 .a5+ 1 0 c3 .xc5 (if 1 0 . . . dxc3? then I I lLlxb7 ! cxb2+ 12 lLlxa5 bxa l =. 1 3 i.xc6+ wins) I I lLle2 with roughly equal chances. b) 5 . . . c4! ? releases the tension in the centre when White can proceed 6 i.g2 i.e6 7 lLlge2 lLlf6 8 i.g5 i.e7 9 0-0, intending lLlf4 with some pressure against the d5 pawn. c) 5 . . . lLlf6 6 lLlge2 (6 .i.g2 cxd4 7 lLlce2 is also possible) 6 . . . i.g4 7 i.g2 cxd4 8 .xd4 lLlc6 9 "a4 i.b4 1 0 0-0 .a5 I I .xa5 i.xa5 1 2 h3 i.f5 1 3 i.g5 ( 1 3 lLlxd5 lLlxd5 1 4 i.xd5 0-0-0 gives Black a slight initiative) 1 3 . . . lLle4 14 lLlxe4 .i.xe4 ( 1 4 . . . dxe4 allows White to put pres­ sure on the e-pawn after 1 5 g4 .i.g6 1 6 lLlg3 ) 1 5 c3 0-0 1 6 i.e3 .:tfd8 1 7 .:tad I with equal chances, Novitz­ ky-Balashov, St Petersburg 2000. • . .

6 .xd4 lLlr6

Simply defending the d-pawn.

7 ..tg5 .i. e7 8 .i.b5+

I had in mind a special plan, which is soon revealed. Instead, 8 0-0-0 is the main alternative to target the isolated d-pawn. For in­ stance: 8 . . . lLlc6 9 .a4 lLle4?! (9 . . . .i.e6 is more reliable to add support to d5 when Kupreichik­ Morawietz, Gennany Team Ch 1 996 continued 1 0 i.g2 0-0 I I lLlge2 tfb6 1 2 i.e3 i.c5 1 3 i.xc5 .xc5 1 4 lLlf4 with equal chances) 1 0 i.xe7 lLlxc3 1 1 .i.xd8 lLlxa4 1 2 ..tg5 (the ending is favourable to

145

White thanks to the pair of bishops and the vulnerable d-pawn) 1 2 . . .,i,e6 1 3 ,i,g2 h6 14 i.e3 0-0-0 1 5 lLle2 b6 1 6 lLlf4 lLle7 1 7 .:the I lLlc5 1 8 i.xc5 bxc5 1 9 lLlxe6 fxe6 20 l:txe6 and White was a pawn up in Peters-Mentel, Leipzig 1 997. 8

...

lLlc6 9 i.xf6 i.xf6 1 0 "c5!

could sense that Nunn feared this move. In my home preparation I had analysed this position and no­ ticed that, amazingly, it amounts to a reversed Goring Gambit Declined! If you try out the moves I e4 e5 2 lLlf3 lLlc6 3 d4 exd4 4 c3 d5 5 exd5 .xd5 6 cxd4 .i.g4 7 i.e2 .i.b4+ 8 lLlc3 .i.xf3 9 .i.xf3 .c4 then an almost identical position to the illus­ trative game is reached. The only difference is that White has played g3, which doesn 't alter the asses­ sment of the position as being equal. I think that because this game was played in a weekend tournament it has escaped the attention of com­ puter databases, making it relatively unknown. However, New in Chess Magazine did mention it when I published some analysis in 1 992, after which a few games were played with this l ine. 1 0 ... ,i,xc3+ 1 1 bxc3 1 1 .xc3 is well met by 1 1 . . . 0-0 1 2 lLle2 ( 1 2 i.xc6 bxc6 1 3 .xc6 .:te8+ 14 �fl l:tb8 when Black has

146 French Defence set-up plenty of. play for the pawn) 1 2 . . . d4 1 3 'ii'd2 Wfb6 1 4 i..x c6 bxc6.

1 l 'ii'e7+ 1 2 'ii'xe7+ �xe7 1 3 0-0-0 i..e6 1 4 ttJe2 d6? ! . • .

It may be a little harsh to assess this move as dubious but it is the start of a misguided plan to march the king up the board to provoke complications. The problem for GM Nunn was that the position looked like it was heading for a draw and in a weekend tournament this can be enough to deprive you of I st place. This explains his risky game plan. A better approach is 1 4 . . . :hd8, played in the game Gdanski­ Wojtkiewicz, Warsaw 1 993, when after 1 5 :he I :d6 White should have played 1 6 ttJt" with equal chances. 1 5 :hel �c5 16 c4 dxc4 1 7 i..x c6 bxc6

1 7 . . . �xc6 is necessary although 1 can quickly head for a draw after 1 8 ltJd4+ xd7?! is not as good because White's queenside pawn chain remains intact. For instance: 1 3 :xd l e5 14 c3 l:td8 1 5 �e2 �c7 1 6 ttJc2 �d6 1 7 a3, intending b4, and White 's bishop-pair looks impressive. 13 ttJxf6+ gxf6

1 3 . . . ttJxf6 was played in Veselovsky-Blehm, Czech Team Ch 1 999 and was an attempt to improve on the main game. 1 4 iLxc6+! (the doubled c-pawns give White a long-

1 e4 term edge, so this is better than 1 4 ltJxc2 ltJdS I S i.d2 �d7 1 6 a3 i.d6 1 7 ltJe3 ltJce7 1 8 i.e4 ltJxe3 + 1 9 i.xe3 ltJdS 20 �g2 YrY2 Brito­ Solana, Las Palmas 1 99 1 ) 14 . . . bxc6 I S ltJxc2 �f7 1 6 ltJa3 l:ld8 1 7 ltJc4 l:ldS ( 1 7 . . . ::lxd3? 1 8 ltJeS+ wins) 1 8 ::lc 1 i.e7 1 9 ::lc3 ltJd7 20 ::la3 with a superior ending. 14 ltJxc2 0-0-0 1 5 �e2 ltJd4+ 16 ltJxd4 cxd4 17 i. d2 �bS IS ::lac l i.h6 1 9 ::lc5

1 9 l:lc4 i.xd2 20 �xd2 ltJe7 2 1 l:lhc I is slightly better for White. 19

'/l-Yl

. . •

i.xd2 20 'itrxd2 ltJe7 21 h4

There are plenty of games where Black is reluctant to play 2 . . . dS and relies on playing a standard defens­ ive formation. The lessons from the Closed Sicilian are easy to learn and one can usually dispense with ltJb l -c3. Trapl-Prlbyl

Czech Team Ch 1 995 1 e4 cS 2 g3 ltJc6 3 i.g2 g6 4 f4 i.g7 5 ltJf3 d6 6 d3 e5 7 0-0 ltJge7 S fS!

c5

2 g3/ 2 d3

J 65

illustrative game, MarkowskiSmirin, in the chapter 6 1'4 eS. S . . . gxfS 9 ltJh4 fxe4 In Boguszlavszky-Schneider, Hungarian Team Ch 1 992, Black tried to reduce the influence of the white rook by keeping the f-fiIe closed with 9 . . . 1'4. That game went 1 0 "ii"h5 ltJg6 1 1 ltJfS i.lo 1 2 ltJc3 ltJd4 1 3 ltJxd4 cxd4 14 ltJdS i.e6 I S gxf4 i.xdS 1 6 exdS .e7 1 7 rxeS i.xeS 1 8 i.h3 .'h4 19 .xh4 tiJxh4 20 i.t� ltJg6 2 1 l:lae l Yr '/2 . 10 dxe4 i.e6

An imyrovement is 1 0 . . . 0-0, when 1 1 {tja3 i.e6 1 2 ltJrs i.x I'S 1 3 exfS 10 1 4 i.e3 is considered un­ clear. It is probably best to avoid the example set by the games Da­ vies-Horvath, Budapest 1 987, and Brandner-Amann, Oberwart 1 997. which proceeded with 14 . . ..d7? handing back the extra pawn atter I S i.xcS. 11 ltJfS i.xf5 After 1 1 . . . ltJxfS 1 2 exfS i.c4? White has won a few games with 1 3 'ii'g4 ! , hitting the bishops on c4 and g7. 1 2 exfS f6 13 .h5+ �d7

Pribyl has been forced to give up the right to castle and his king must now spend time trying to lind sanctuary. 14 ltJc3 �c7 1 5 i.e3 a6 16 ::lad I

'ii'f8 1 7 a3 .l:tdS 1 8 b4!

White sacrifices the f-pawn in a bid to open lines and make develop­ ment awkward for Black. This is an idea borrowed from the Closed Sicilian. A model example is the

1 66 1 e4 c5 2 g3! 2 d3 It makes sense to open up lines in a bid to track down the black king. 18

• . .

lLId4

1 8 . . . cxb4 19 axb4 lLIxb4 20 l:tb l a5 2 1 lLIb5+ �b8 22 .ia7+ �a8 23 .ib6 is better for White. 1 9 bxcS dxcS 20 l:b 1 lLIec6 2 1 lLIdS+ l:txdS?!

The pressure is not relieved by giving up the exchange so it is prob­ ably best to try 2 1 . . . �b8, although 22 l:tb2, intending to double rooks on the b-file, maintains White 's advantage.

22 .ixd5 lLIxc2 23 .i.. x c6 bxc6 24 "e2

Now that the black queenside has been wrecked it is easy for the white queen to invade and destroy .

24 . . . lLIxa3 25 "xa6 "a8 26 'WWb6+ �d7 27 'it'b7+ "xb7 28 l:txb7+ �c8 29 l:txg7 1-0

The problem with f4-f5 has prompted many players to try . . . e6 with the idea of . . . lLIge7 and 0-0.

square, which often happens in the Closed Sicilian. This opening sequence is known by a variety of names, but 'The Big Clamp' is the most common. White has a number of plans but the theme of keeping the position closed and creating a pawn centre is constant. It is also possible to play 7 0-0 0-0 and then 8 c3. 7 lLIc3 would transpose to the main l ine. 7 . . . d5

Another approach is 7 . . . 0-0 to avoid the a fixed pawn structure which occurs after an early . . . d7-d5, as seen in Dodgson-Hillarp Persson, St Helier 2000. That game con­ tinued: 8 .ie3 b6 9 0-0 a5 1 0 lLIa3 (perhaps 1 0 �f2 ! ?) 1 0 . . . �a6 1 1 lLIc2 l:tc8 1 2 l:te I d6 1 3 �f2 e5 1 4 f5?! gxf5 1 5 lLIh4 f4 and White had insutlicient compensation for the pawn. S e5

Clemens-Naumann

Gennan Team Ch 1 993 1 e4 cS 2 d3 lLIc6 3 g3 g6 4 .ig2 �g7 5 f4 e6 6 lL10 lLIge7 7 c3

An important idea that aims to close the position, allowing White to use his space advantage to manoeuvre his pieces to better squares. 8 . . .lLIfS 9 0-0 0-0 10 lLIa3

The pawn on c3 allows White to consider d3-d4 and also stops the black knight occupying the d4

It makes sense to develop the queen 's knight via a3-c2 to help support the advance d4 or to play lLIc2-e3. 10 . . J�b8 I I lLIc2

l e4 c5 2 g31 2 d3 In the game Moser-Helm, Dresden 2000, White tested 1 1 g4 with good results after 1 1 . . . ttJh4 1 2 ttJxh4 'ii'x h4 1 3 g5 ! (White locks the queen out of the game) 1 3 . . . ttJxe5?! (a speculative piece sacrifice) 14 fxe5 �xe5 1 5 h3 'ii'g 3 16 "f3 "h2+ 17 'iti>f2 f6 18 lIh l when Black's attacking chances have evaporated. I I ...b5 12 g4

With this pawn lunge Clemens gains more space on the kingside. The weakness of advancing the king's protective cover can only be seriously tested if Black opens the centre, thereby allowing his pieces to gather tor an attack. 12 . . . ttJfe7 13 �e3 c4

Naumanll would like to secure control over the d4 square but 1 3 . . .1fb6 walks into a pin which costs a pawn after 14 b4.

1 4 a3 a5 1 5 �c5 cxd3 16 "xd3 .:re8 17 l:tadl �d7

The bishop on d7 is not really going anywhere but stays on the h3-c8 diagonal to keep an eye on the advance f4-5. Basically, Black has a passive position while White can steadily improve his pieces. looking for a breakthrough with something like f4-f5 . 1 8 ttJe3 .:rb7 1 9 b4 axM 2 0 axM tt�c8 2 1 ttJd4 g5

167

This i s a familiar way o f under­ mining the e5 pawn. However. it is too little, too late. 22 ttJxd5!

In such a dominant position it is hardly surprising that White finds a winning tactic. 22 . . . exd5 23 �xd5 'ii'c7

I f 23 . . . ttJxd4 then 24 �xb7 �xg4 25 cxd4 �xd I 26 "xd I gxf4 27 "g4 is winning. 24 i.xf7+!

Another stunning move confirms Black's demise. 24 . . . �xt7 is well met by 25 "xh7 when the threat of discovering a check with fxg5+ wins easily. 24 � h8 25 �xe8 �xe8 26 ttJe6 • • •

'ii'd 7 27 'ii'f5 ttJ8e7 28 l:txd7 1-0

It is possible for White to be !lex­ ible and choose another system that dispenses with an early f4. Black still has to be wary of White trans­ posing to the Closed Sicilian . Van der Welde-Weeks

Wijk aan Zee 1 997

I e4 c5 2 d3

It is often the case that the text is played first and the game later trans­ poses to positions familiar to 2 g3 . 2 . . .e6

As usual. it is possible to chal­ lenge the centre with 2 . . . d5 when, after 3 exd5 "xd5, it is not easy to exploit the fact that the queen is in the open. One example is 4 ttJf3 ttJc6 5 g3 when Black can force a draw after 5 . . . It:ki4 6 �g2 �h3 ! 7 i.xh3 (7 0-0 �xg2 8 �xg2 ttJxf3 9 "xf3 "xf3+ 1 0 �xf3 is equal) 7 . ttJxf3+ 8 �f1 ttJd2+ 9 'it'g l ttJf3+ 1 0 �n ttJd2+ I I 'it'g I ttJf3+ �-Y2 Davies-Renet, European Team Ch 1 989. It would be more in keep­ ing with the style of the main game . .

1 68 1 e4 c5 2 g3/ 2 d3 to play 3 ltJd2. If White needs inspiration then the model game Davies-Karolyi, Hastings 1 987, is worth checking out. There followed 3. . . lDc6 4 g3 e5?! (Davies criti­ cised this move because it is nor­ mally play ed in conjunction with an early . . . liJf6. This means that if White captures on d5, the knight can take back and Black can quickly complete his development. It soon becomes clear that even a natural move in the opening can lead to future problems in activating the pieces) 5 exd5 'ii'xd5 6 lDgf3 �e6 7 �g2 'ii'd7 8 0-0 f6 9 lDe4! (the cen­ tralised knight exerts a strong influ­ ence on the position. Karolyi has difficulty developing the kingside because 9 . . . lDge7? fails to 1 0 lDxc5 while 9 . . . lDh6?? is just awful due to I 0 �xh6 when the bishop is taboo because of the threat lDxf6+) 9 . . .l:td8 1 0 l:te I b6 I I a3 �e7 1 2 "e2 'ii't7 1 3 b4! (an enterprising sacrifice which has the aim of open­ ing up the game to take advantage of Black's poor piece co-ordination) 1 3 . . . cxb4 1 4 axb4 �xb4 (or 14 . . . lDxb4 1 5 lDeg5+! �e8 1 6 lDxe6 "xe6 1 7 l:txa7 and White has the better chances thanks to the vulnerability of the black king) 1 5 c3 �e7 1 6 d4 exd4 1 7 cxd4 liJb4? 1 8 lDeg5+! 1 -0. 3 lDo lDc6 4 g3 g6 5 �g2 �g7 6 0-0 lD ge7 7 c3 If 7 liJc3 then the game transposes to a Closed Sicilian. 7

. • .

d5 8 lDbd2

This is the point where White de­ clares his true intention to play a King's Indian Attack. The benefit of the pawn on c3 is that it introduces the possibil ity of expanding on the queenside and establishing an in­ fluential centre with an eventual e4-e5 followed by d3-d4.

8 0-0 9 l:te l b6 10 e5 "c7 1 1 "e2 gS! ? . . .

A standard idea to undermine the support of the e5 pawn. In general, White tends to heavily support the e5 pawn because it helps to cut off Black's pieces from defending the kingside. But there is an exception to every rule. Instead 1 1 . . . J:lb8 was tried in Heissler-Philipowski, Bad Godesberg 200 I . That game went 1 2 lDfI f6 1 3 exf6 l:txf6 14 lDe3 (with the intention of lDg4 and �h6) 1 4 . . . e5 1 5 c4 e4 ( l 5 . . . dxc4 ! ? should b e considered) 1 6 dxe4 dxe4 1 7 lDg5 lDd4 1 8 "d I �b7 19 lDxe4 and White had an extra pawn, al­ though the strong knight on d4 gives Black some compensation. 1 2 lDxg5

1 2 �h3 was tried in Gustafsson­ Murugan, Gausdal 1 99 1 , to stop the advance . . . g5-g4, but it does little to stop the plan of undermining the e5 pawn. The game continued: 1 2 �h3 h6 1 3 �g4 lDg6! 14 d4 cxd4 1 5 cxd4 lDb4 1 6 l:td l �a6 1 7 "e l lDc2 and White can go home. 1 2 . . ... xeS 1 3 lDde4

A wonderful position to have on the board. A knight is offered as a sacrifice, which can be accepted as long as Black is happy to allow a fierce attack.

1 e4 c5 2 g3/ 2 d3 169 Or 24 . . .•d6 25 i.xf8 1:txf8 26 ltJg5 and the threat of mate means that Black will end up losing more material. 25 l:txe5 ltJg6

Black is lost but the Australian continues until any hope of a mir­ acle is extinguished.

It is worth remembering that when your opponent asks "how come you played such a stunning move after 20 seconds thought" it is correct chess etiquette to ponder for a moment before claiming that Tal was a distant cousin. 13 . . . ltJg6

If 1 3 . . . dxe4 then 14 i.f4 .f6 1 5 i.xe4 e5 1 6 ltJxh7 (the continu­ ation 16 i.xh7+ �h8 1 7 ltJe4 .e6 1 8 'it'h5 is recommended in some sources but I cannot find anything against 1 8 . . .•g4! , entering a win­ ning ending for Black) 1 6 . . . 'it'd6 1 7 ltJxf8 exf4 1 8 ltJh7 and White has the superior chances. 14 f4 .c7 I S ltJf1 h6

It is understandable that Weeks is keen to oust the knight from its attacking post. The big problem for him is that the loss of the g-pawn has left his kingside relatively exposed and it this positional factor that Van der Weide is poised to exploit. A casual move such as 1 5 . . . i.b7 is shown to be bad upon 1 6 .h5 h6 1 7 ltJxe6! fxe6 1 8 .xg6, winning a pawn for nothing.

16 ltJgb3 ltJce7 17 .h5 i.b7 1 8 g4 d 4 1 9 fS

The discovered attack on the h6 pawn spells problems for Black.

19 . . . i.xg2 20 �xg2 .c6+ 2 1 � g l exfS 2 2 i.xb6 ltJeS 2 3 l:txeS! i.xeS 24 l:tel l:tfe8

26 1:txe8+ l:txe8 27 i.d2 l:te2 28 ltJg5 .f6 29 gxf5 l:txd2 30 ltJfe4 .xf5 3 1 ltJxd2 ltJf4 32 .h4 f6 33 ltJge4 .g6+ 34 ltJg3 liJxd3 35 cxd4 ltJxb2 36 dxc5 bxc5 37 ltJde4 fS 38 -.d8+ g7 40 .c7+ 1-0

It is clear that the sel-up with . . . e7-e6, " .ltJge7, . . . 0-0, followed by pushing the queenside pawns has its qualities but there is another important possibility. The seal of approval from Garry Kasparov confinns that 6 . . . ltJf6 should be taken seriously. Fedorov-Kasparov

W ijk aan Zee 200 1

1 e4 c5 2 d3

Fedorov is renowned for his aggressive style but in this case he chooses to avoid the main lines. This is probably in response to Kasparov's renowned opening prep­ aration, while bearing in mind the illustrative game, Adams-Kasparov, in the chapter 6 f4 ltJf6 where there was a similar set-up with the king's knight developed to fo. 2 . . . ltJc6 3 g3 g6 4 i.g2 i.g7 5 f4 d6 6 ltJO ltJf6

If it is good enough for Kasparov then it can be recommended tor the rest of us! Black is happy to develop the king's knight on f6 instead of e7 and the plan is to complete his king­ side development and advance the queenside pawns. A key idea is to

J 70 J e4

c5 2

g3/ 2 d3

b) 8 . . . c4 9 ttJa3 cxd3 1 0 'ii'xd3 'ii'a 5 1 1 h3 (the standard way to start advancing the kingside pawns) 1 1 . . . :d8 1 2 g4 :b8 1 3 ttJc2 'ii'a 6! ? 7 0-0 0-0 ( 1 3 . . . b6 is a possible alternative but Black is hoping that after the ex­ change of queens the semi-open b­ tile will compensate for the doubled a-pawns) 1 4 'ii'x a6 bxa6 1 5 ttJfd4 liJxd4 1 6 tZ'.\xd4 i.. b 7 1 7 :e I e5 1 8 ttJb3 ttJd7 1 9 1'5 when the space advantage gave White the better ending in Beshukov-Arkhangelsky, Moscow 1 999. c) 8 . . . l:tb8 and now: c l ) 9 ttJa3 b5 1 0 :b l a5 1 I b3 b4 1 2 cxb4 axb4 1 3 ttJc4 :a8 (Black already has good play on the queen­ 8 h3 Fedoro\! wants to construct a side, while White's kingside attack kingside set-up identical to that in has not even started) 1 4 a4 bxa3 1 5 the Closed Sicilian. However, he .ixa3 :b8 1 6 e5 ttJd5 1 7 i.b2 dxe5 1 8 ttJfxe5 ( 1 8 fxe5 is well met by hopes to accelerate the attack by de­ 1 8 . . . ttJdb4 with pressure against the laying tZ'.\c3, which o ften becomes a weak pawn on d3) 1 8 . . . It.Jxe5 1 9 target for Black after . . . b7-b5-b4. i.. xe5 .txe5 (intending . . . ttJc3 or Others: 8 c3 is another attempt to play . . .ttJe3 so White seeks to eliminate The Big Clamp when play might that problem) 20 i.. x d5? i..d4+ 0- 1 Rodas-Orrego, Medellin 2000. proceed: c2) 9 a4 a6 1 0 ttJh4 i..d 7 1 1 ttJd2 a) 8 . . . i..g4 9 h3 i.. x f3 1 0 'ii'x f3 b5 1 2 axb5 axb5 1 3 lLJdf3 b4 14 f5 l:tc8 I I i.. e3 (or I I .f2 b5 1 2 i..e 3 · bxc3 1 5 bxc3 c4 ! b4 1 3 ttJd2 ttJd7 1 4 :fc I with equal chances) 1 1 . . . ttJd7 1 2 g4 b5 1 3 a3 a5 1 4 ttJd2 ( 1 4 fS looks logical but the e5 square will be occupied by a knight, so White catches up on de­ velopment) 1 4 . . . ttJb6 1 5 'ii' f2 b4 1 6 axb4 axb4 1 7 :fc 1 'ii'd 7 1 8 ttJf3 :a8 1 9 :xa8 ( 1 9 d4 is also poss­ ible when 1 9 . . . cxd4 20 cxd4 :xa l 2 1 :xa I ttJc4 22 d5 ! is better for White) 1 9 . . . :xa8 20 fS l:ta2 ! (with the threat 20 . . . bxc3 when the pawn on b2 is pinned) 2 1 'ii'h4 ttJe5 22 ttJxe5 .ixe5 23 cxb4 lhb2 24 bxc5 Black breaks up the d3-e4-f5 dxc5 25 i.. fl 'ii'd6 26 fxg6 hxg6 27 i..g 2 'ii'xd3 28 'ii'e I :e2 0- 1 Ye pawn chain 1 6 i.. f4 'ii'b 6+ 1 7 �h I liangchuan-Gelfand, Shenyang cxd3 1 8 '6'xd3 ttJg4 1 9 fxg6 hxg6 20 e5 'ii'b5 (the weakened white 2000.

leave the e-pawn on e7 and, when f4-f5 is played, occupy e5 with a knight.

J

pawn structure prompts Black to offer an invitation to an ending) 2 1 .xbS ::'xb5 22 exd6 eS! 23 ii.c I e4 (exploiting the fact that White' s eieces lack harmony) 24 lDgS e3 2S tt'le4 fS 26 lDxg6 J:[e8 27 h3 fxe4 28 hxg4 e2 29 J:[e I ii.xc3 led to victory in Quezada-Dominguez, Camaguey 1 999. 8

. . .

b5

In the Closed Sicilian the knight on c3 covers this square but in its absence Black is able to launch an immediate queenside pawn storm. Or 8 . . . eS 9 fS dS (9 . . . gxfS 1 0 exfS ii.xfS I I lDxeS dxeS 1 2 J:[xfS is slightly better for White) 1 0 exdS lDxdS 1 1 fxg6 hxg6 1 2 J:[e 1 .ifS 1 3 lDbd2 Wd7 1 4 �h2 J:[ad8 I S lDh4 ( I S lDc4 ! ? increasing pressure on the eS pawn looks logical) I S . . . .ie6 1 6 lDe4 b6 1 7 lDgS lDd4 I S lDxe6 lDxe6 1 9 lDf3 Wd6 20 c3 (White stops the knight invading on d4 but now the d3 pawn is weak) 20 . . . lDe7 2 1 .a4 lDf5 22 Wg4 J:[d7 23 .ifl and White has a passive position and has still not completed his development, Berescu-Bumoiu, Bucharest 1 999. Also possible is 8 . . . J:[bS when Kokolias-Verivakis, Chania 2000, continued 9 a3 .c7 IQ g4 bS 1 1 lDc3 ! (White spots a good time to transpose back into a favourable version of the Closed Si­ cilian) 1 1 . . . as 1 2 gS lDd7 1 3 lDd5 .dS 1 4 fs lDd4 I s lDh4 b4 1 6 axb4 axb4 1 7 .if4 and White had the in­ itiative. An interesting try is S . . . c4 to leave White worrying about his pawn structure. For example: 9 lDc3 cxd3 1 0 cxd3 bS 1 1 .ie3 (of course, I I lDxbS? loses after 1 1 . . .'i6'b6+ 1 2 �h l WxbS) 1 1 . . .b4 1 2 lDe2 .as 1 3 'i'd2 .ia6 1 4 J:[fc l (the early pressure on the queenside prompts the grandmaster to change tactics and put a stop to Black's ambitions)

e4 c5 2 g3/ 2 d3

J 7J

14 . . . 'i6'bs ( 1 4 . . . J:[ac8!? should be considered) IS lDed4 ! (the start of a clever combination designed to win material-a usual ploy in this sys­ tem based on the hidden strength of the light-squared bishop on g2) I S . . . lDxd4 16 lDxd4 .xd3 (or 1 6 . . ..b7 1 7 eS lDdS I S lDc6 lDxe3 19 .xe3 is excellent for White) 1 7 '�xd3 .ixd3 1 8 eS! (White reveals a double attack) 1 8 . . . dxeS 1 9 fxeS lDhS 20 .ixa8 J:[xaS 2 1 g4 when White was winning in Barlov-Ristic, Yugoslav Team Ch 1 994. 9 g4

Or 9 eS dxeS 1 0 lDxeS lDxe5 I I fxeS ( I I .ixaS .ixh3 ! 1 2 .ig2 .ixg2 1 3 �xg2 .dS+ 14 �g l lDeg4 offers roughly equal chances) 1 1 . . .lDds 1 2 c4 lDc7 1 3 .ixa8 lDxa8 when Black has decent com­ pensation for the exchange. 9 lDc3 no longer transposes directly into a Closed because Black has managed to play . . . b7-bS without the need to spend time supporting it with a move such as . . . J:[aS-bS. For instance: 9 . . . b4 1 0 lDe2 as I 1 g4 c4 1 2 .ie3 .ia6 1 3 lDg3 cxd3 1 4 cxd3 lDd7 when 1 prefer Black's chances thanks to his influential pair of bishops. 9

• • •

a5

A consistent approach to help the queenside onslaught. Paragua­ Atalik, Saint Vincent 200 I , saw Black trying to weaken the c2-d4-e4-fS pawn chain with help from his queen: 9 . . .'i6'b6 1 0 fS c4+ 1 I �h l cxd3 1 2 cxd3 b4 (making room for the light-squared bishop to target the d3 eawn) 1 3 J:[e 1 .ia6 1 4 .ie3 .aS I S 'i6'b3 .bS 1 6 .ifl lDaS 1 7 .d l lDd7 I S d4 (the pressure against the d3 pawn has not worked because now White has a strong p'awn centre) I S . . . 'i6'b7 1 9 .i.xa6 'ii'x a6 20 lDbd2 lDb6 2 1 .i.gS 'i6'b7

1 72 I e4 c5 2 g3! 2 d3 22 "e2 ltJc6 23 "f2 Aac8 24 "h4 (having fended ofT the queenside probe White can get on with the kingside attack) 24 . . . ltJxd4?! 25 iLxe7 Are8 26 f6 1:txe7 (26 . . . ltJc2 runs into 27 ltJg5 ! ) 27 ltJxd4 ltJc4 28 ltJfS Ae5 29 ltJh6+ h8 30 fxg7+ �xg7 3 1 l:tn f5 32 ltJxf5 + gxfS 33 gxf5 " f7 34 ltJf3 1 -0. 10 5!?

One might think that once Kasparov has played this line as Black then everyone will be scared to challenge his choice. Amazingly, just a few days later in the Grand­ master B tournament at Wijk aan Zee, the game Visser-De Vreugt, saw White try to improve with 1 0 a4. There followed: 1 0 . . . b4 (if 1 0 . . . bxa4 then I I ltJc3 is fine for White) I I ltJbd2 iLa6 1 2 Ae I (the rook is removed from the f-file but it is usually needed to lend support to the advance. I n this case, Visser intends to challenge Black 's set-up with e4-e5) 1 2 . . .l:tc8 1 3 l:tb l d5 1 4 e5 ltJd7 1 5 ltJn e6 1 6 b3 f6! ( a cor­ rect approach to White's pawn on e5 because it allows Black to under­ mine the centre) 1 7 exf6 'ir'xf6 1 8 ltJg3 �h8 1 9 h4 (a vigorous re­ sponse by White who is happy to pose Black problems with a king­ side pawn advance; on the other hand 1 9 g5 ..n 20 .:n adds support to the f-pawn but leaves White standing worse because of Black 's very active pieces) 1 9 . . . e5 20 f5 "d6 (De Vreught rightly ignores the pawn avalanche on the kingside in the knowledge that without piece support it is fairly harmless) 2 1 ltJg5 ltJd4 22 ltJe2 (in an effort to complicate matters, White gives up a pawn) 22 . . . gxfS 23 ltJxd4 cxd4 24 gxf5 ':xf5 25 "h5 (the twin threats of ltJf7+ and 'ir'xh7 mate are easily rebutTed)

25 . . ...g6 26 'ir'xg6 hxg6 27 iLxd5 Axc2 28 ltJf7+ l:txf7 29 iLxf7 iLxd3 (Black has lost the exchange but has compensation in the form of two extra passed pawns. It is White who is losing because his pieces are relatively passive and can do little to stop the advance of the d- and e-pawns) 30 .ig5 iLf5 3 1 l:tbc I l:tc3 32 .:n e4 (the central pawns start to roll and Black is clearly winn ing) 33 iLt� ltJe5 34 iLxe5 i.xe5 35 h5 e3 36 hxg6 e2 3 7 ':fe l d3 0- 1 1 0 . . . b4 1 1 "el

Kasparov himself was later quoted as saying that this move was optimistic! White is still keen to attack on the kingside and leaves his queenside pieces on their original squares. 1 1 . .. .ia6 1 1 . . . ltJd7 1 2 'ifh4 ltJde5 IS another way to cope satisfactorily with the white attack. 1 2 'it'h4 c4!

Black wishes to disrupt White's plans by undermining the c2-d3-e4-fS pawn chain. 13 iLh6

Fedorov goes for a direct attack. H is ideal sequence would be to fol­ low up with ltJg5 and then threaten to exchange pawns on g6, opening up the possibility of Axf6 to elimin­ ate the defender of h7. The only

J 114

c5 2 1.-:.11 ! d I

1/'

snag is that Black is allowed to move! If you want to see how he was inspired to create such an attack then look at the illustrative game Spassky-Geller. Alternatively, if he had defended the d3-pawn with 1 3 :d l then Kasparov would have kept up the pressure by 1 3 . . . cxd3 1 4 cxd3 'i6'b6+ 1 5 'it' h 1 ltJe5 1 6 ltJxe5 dxe5 17 'it'g3 l:tfd8 1 8 .i.e3 'it'c6.

�e6 26 gxf6 exf6 27 'it'g7 'it'�� unll White can resign. A last 111111111" exchange sacrifice wilh 23 J: x HI also fails to 23 . . . ext� 24 'it'h7 1 ·.ir'fH and the white attack fades away.

The onslaught has to wait. White must deal with his crumbling pawn structure. After 1 4 fxg6 fxg6 1 5 ltJg5 .i.xh6 1 6 'it'xh6 'it'd7 ! 1 7 :xf6? exf6 and the queen on d7 protects h7, giving Black a won game.

The natural reply to 2 g3 is 2 . . . d5, which successfully chal­ lenges White's control of the cenlre. In the past this has often led to short draws but the games Nadyrhanov­ Odeev and Sepp-MaJisauskas are an indication that the gambit 7 b4 is a useful weapon. A better approach by Black is to concentrate on development and Veselovsky-Haba demonstrates how Black can comfortably equalise. It is more usual for Black to defend with a formation that is usually played against the Closed Sicilian. The difference in omitting ltJc3 shows to White's advantage in Trapl-Prlbyl. where the thematic f4-5 is used to steer White to victory. A glance at Clemens-Naumann indicates thal The Big Clamp can be awkward for Black to handle when White substi­ tutes ltJb l -c3 with c2-c3. Van der Welde-Weeks is another approach by White who avoids f2-f4 and then invites tremendous complications straight out of the opening. The final say on the line is appropriately enough by Kasparov who makes quick work of Fedorov by playing n system with . . . ltJf6 and 0-0. It is this system that is likely to be the main response for years to come.

13 . . . cxd3 14 cxd3

14 . . . .i.xd3 I S :el .i.xh6

Kasparov is understandably reluc­ tant to lose control and allow a king-hunt. Then again, it is not clear that White has enough pieces to finish off the job of mating the exposed black king. For example: 1 5 . . . ltJxe4 1 6 .i.xg7 �xg7 1 7 :xe4 .i.xe4 1 8 ltJg5 'it'b6+ 1 9 'it'h2 .i.xg2 20 'it'xh7+ �f6 2 1 �g2 (2 1 ltJxf7 :xf7 22 'it'xg6+ 'it>e5 23 'it'e6+ 'it'f4) 21 . . . 'it'xg5 and White cannot force checkmate. 16 'it'xh6 'it'b6+ 17 'it'hl ltJeS 1 8 ltJbd2

Realistically, the best practical chance is to offer an exchange of queens and then suffer a pawn down in the ending after 1 8 ltJxe5 dxe5 1 9 'it'e3 'it'xe3 20 :xe3 :fd8 . 1 8 . . . :ac8 19 ltJgS :c2 20 :n .i.xn 2 1 :xn :fc8 22 fIg6 hxg6 23 ltJb3

23 ltJxf7 is a good example of how to sacrifice too many pieces: 23 . . . 'it'xf7 24 g5 'it'e3 25 'it'h7+

23 ... :xg2! 24 �xg2 :c2+ 2� �g3 'it'e3+ 0-1 Summary

Index of Variations The Clused Sidlill1l : 1 e 4 c S 2 tUc3 tUc6 3 g3 g6 4 ..tg2 .i.g7 5 d 3 d6 Chapler

J:

6 .lie3 e6 7 .-d2 tUge7 8 .lih6 8 ... 0-0 9 h4 i.xh6 1 0 "xh6 1'6 1 1 1 0 . �h8 1 3 8 ... .lixh6 9 .-xh6 li)d4 1 0 0-0-0 1 5 ..

7 ...tUd4 8 tUd 1 e 5 ( S b6/':'b8/tUe7) 9 c3 1 7 7 ....:.b8 8 tUf3 (8 lDge2) 8.. :*b6 (8 . . . tUge71b5) 20-2 1 8 ... lDd4 9 it.xd4 23 7 ..JWa5 8 tUge2 (8 t�) 8 ...tUd4 9 0-0 (9 tU h4 2 7) 9 ... tUe7 (9 . .lid7/h6 2 7) 1 0 '.t>h l 2 7 ( 1 0 a3/tUc l 25) 2 7 . .

. .

Chapler 2: 6 .lie3 tUf6 7 tUge2 0-0 8 h 3 e5 9 0-0 b5 (9 .:.b8/ttJd4/.lie6) 30 8 0-0 :b8 9 h3 b5 32-33 7 ....lid7 8 tUge2 "c8 9 f4 34 . . .

Chapler 3: 6 .lie3 ':'b8 7 .-d2 b5 8 lDge2 ( 8 tUfJ/f4) 8...tUd4 9 0-0 3 7 8 ... e6 9 d4 40

Chapler 4: 6 .i.e3 e5 (6 it.e3 b5/a61b5/tUh61b6 50) 7 1r'd2 7 ...tUd4 (7 ... .i.e6) 8 tUce2 (8 tUd5ltUd I ) 43 7 ...tUge7 8 .i.h6 (8 t�) 8 .0-0 9 h4 f6 46-4 7 9 ... ..txh6 1 0 1r'xh6 48 ..

Chapter 5: 5 ... e6 6 ..te3 tUd4 7 tUce2 53 6...b6 7 _d2 (7 tUge2 ) 56

Index of' Val'iallll//.\

/ '\

Chapter 6: 6 f4 e6 (6 ... f5/ttJh6i.Jtd7/l:1b8 58-59) 7 ttJf3 ttJge7 8 0-0 0-0 9 �e3 (9 �d2ia3/ttJe2!g4/ttJh4 6 1 ) 9 ... ttJd4 58-59 (9 ... b6 1 0 �f2/ l 0 d4 7{)) 10 e5 ( 1 0 �f2 64; 1 0 l:tb l �d2/�h L lttJh4/g4 68) 10 ...ttJefS ( 1 0 ... ..id7 M ) 1 1 �f2 ttJ xf3+ 1 2 "xf3 ttJd4 ( l 2 . . .dxe5 60) 1 3 'Wd l dxe5 ( l 3 ... l:tb8 IL' ) 1 4 fxe5 �xe5 ( 1 4 . . .�d7/l:tb81b6 63) I S ttJe4 f5 1 6 ttJxc5 'Wc7 63! 1 6.....d6 65.

Chapter 7: 6 f4 e5 7 ttJh3 ttJge7 8 0-0 0-0 9 f5 gxf5 73 9 ... f6 76 8 ...lLld4 9 f5!9 �e3 78 7 ... exf4 8 ttJxf4!8 �xf4 8 1 -82 7 ttJ f3 l:tb8 8 0-0 ttJge7 9 f5! (9 ttJh4! �e3) 86 7 ...ttJge7 8 0-0 0-0 9 �e3 (9 f5 88) 9...ttJd4 (9 ... exf4 90) 1 0 'Wd2 exf4 ( I 0 .. . f5 ) C){) 1 0...�g4 92 1 0 ... l:tb8 94

Chapter 8: 6 f4 ttJf6 7 ttJf3 0-0 (7 . . .�d7!�g4!l:1b8) 8 0-0 l:1b8 (8 ... �g4) 98-99 9 h3 b5 1 00 (9 . . .�g4/�d7/ttJg4!ttJd4 1 ()2- l O3 ) 1 0 a3 a s 1 1 �e3 ttJd7 1 (J3 1 0 g4 b4 1 1 ttJe2 as ( l 1 . ..c4!ttJe8!ttJd7) 1 2 �e3 ( 1 2 f5) J 04- 1 (J5

Chapter

9:

6 ttJge2 ttJf6 (6 . . . .Jtd7!l:tb8) 7 0-0 (7 h3) 1 08- 1 09 7 ... 0-0 8 h3 ttJd4 (8 . . .a6) 9 ttJxd4 cxd4 1 0 ttJe2 l OCI 8 ... �d7 (8 ... ttJe8) I I I S... l:tbS 1 1 3 6 ...e5 7 h4 h6 (7 ... ttJd4) S ttJd5 (8 h5) 1 1 6-1 1 7 7 0-0 (7 ttJd5) 7 ... ttJge7 8 �e3 (8 a3!ttJd5!f4) 1 1 9 6...e6 7 0-0 (7 a3!h4 1 25) 7 ...ttJge7 8 �g5 (8 �e3 1 22) 8 f4 0-0 (8 ...l:1b8!d5!f5) 9 K4 1 }(, S �e3 (8 f4) 1 3 3

1 76 Index 0/ Variations

Chapkr 10: 6 ttJh3 h5 7 f4 (7 ttJf4) 1 2 9 6. . .ttJf6 7 0-0 .i.g4 (7 ... h 5 ) 1 3 1 6...e6 7 0-0 ttJge7 8 .i.e3 ( 8 f4) 133

Chapter 1 1 : 6 ttJf3 e5 7 0-0 ttJge7 8 ttJd2 (8 a3/ttJh4 138- 1 3 9) 1 38 6 ttJf6 7 0-0 0-0 S h3 :bS 9 a4 a6 1 0 .i.e3 1 40 6 e6 7 .i.g5 ttJge7 8 'ii'd 2 142 ••.

.••

Chapter 12: 1 e4 cS 2 ttJc3 e6 3 g3 d5 4 exd5 (4 d3) 144 4 exd5 5 d4 144 5 cxd4 (5 ...ttJc6/c4/ttJf6) 6 'ii'x d4 ttJf6 145 6....i.e6 146 5 .i.g2 ttJf6 6 d3 .i.e7 (6 ... d4) 149 6 ttJge2 d4 7 ttJe4 1 5 1 •.•

•••

3 ...d6 4 .i.g2 ttJf6 5 f4 ttJc6 6 ttJ f3 .i.e7 1 54 3 ...ttJc6 4 .i.g2 ttJf6 5 d3 .i.e7 6 f4 d6 7 ttJf3 0-0 S 0-0 1 5 7

Chapter 13: 1 e4 c S 2 g3 d5 3 exd5 'ii'x d5 4 ttJ f3 .i.g4 5 .i.g2 'ii'e6+ 6 � n .i.h3 1 60 6 ttJc6 1 63 •••

2 ... ttJc6 3 .i.g2 g6 4 f4 .i.g7 5 ttJf3 d6 6 d3 e5 7 0-0 ttJge7 S f5 1 65 1 e4 cS 2 d3 ttJc6 3 g3 g6 4 .i.g2 .i.g7 5 f4 e6 6 ttJf3 ttJge7 7 c3 d5 S e5 1 66 2 ... e6 (2 ... d5) 3 ttJf3 ttJc6 4 g3 g6 5 .i.g2 .i.g7 6 0-0 ttJge7 7 c3 d5 S ttJbd2 1 67- 1 68 6 ttJf3 ttJf6 7 0-0 0-0 8 h3 (8 c3) 1 6 9-1 70 S b5 (8 ... e5) 9 g4 as 1 0 IS 1 7 1-1 72 ••.